Coronary Artery Disease
CAD means?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. when a plaque builds inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart,it can take a few years to block the blood flow, which eventually causes a heart attack or failure.
How does one get affected?
Plaque, a combination of cholesterol, fat, and other substances starts to stick to the walls lining your blood vessels which builds up over time. This makes arteries become harder and narrower,resulting in “atherosclerosis.“These plaques can break or rupture, by which blood cells called platelets will try to repair the artery, forming a blood clot. This buildup prevents a free flow of blood through the arteries. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart. If you don’t get enough, it can lead to shortness of breath and chest pain (angina).
Symptoms
Plaque continues to build up and curbs blood flow to the heart,resulting in short of breath or fatigued, especially during exercise.
The most common symptom of CAD is angina, or chest pain.
You have any of the following symptoms: