Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified several factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack. Major risk factors are those that research has shown significantly increase the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Other factors are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but their significance and prevalence haven't yet been precisely determined. They're called contributing risk factors.
Coronary Heart Disease Information, policy documents and advice for healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).
What Is Coronary Artery Disease? Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and become narrow due to the buildup of plaque on the inner walls or lining of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Blood flow to the heart is reduced as plaque narrows the coronary arteries. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Coronary heart disease: Heart Center Online Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic disease in which the coronary arteries are hardened and narrowed (atherosclerosis). The coronary arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When they are diseased, the heart is at risk of not receiving the oxygen-rich blood that it needs in order to function.
Heart Disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading cause of death in the United States despite improvements in prevention, detection, and treatment. CVD is no longer thought of as a disease that primarily affects men as they age. It is a killer of people in the prime of life, with more than half of all deaths occurring among women.
