CORONARY HEART DISEASE Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. CAUSES Coronary heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart. This may also be called hardening of the arteries. * Fatty material and other substances form a plaque build-up on the walls of your coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to your heart. *This buildup causes the arteries to get narrow. *As a result, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. SYMPTOMS Chest pain or discomfort (angina) is the most common symptom. You feel this pain when the heart is not getting enough blood or oxygen. Women, elderly people, and people with diabetes are more likely to have symptoms other than chest pain, such as: *Fatigue *Shortness of breath *General weakness
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 05:32:04 +0000