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- Also known as: Coronary heart disease
- Defined as: atherosclerosis of coronary arteries
- Leading cause of death in US
- Sufferers: 14 million Americans
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Coronary artery disease is when the coronary arteries narrow or harden and plaque builds up on the inner walls. When the arteries harden, sufficient blood cannot get to the heart, which becomes starved of oxygen and nutrients, leading to illness and, frequently, death. It is the most common type of heart disease.
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Risk factors
- Family history
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Age
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A sedentary lifestyle
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Prevention
While people cannot prevent aging or change whether their parents had coronary artery disease, there are many lifestyle factors that can be modified to reduce the risk of the disease. A healthy diet and exercise are key to reducing chances of coronary artery disease: the two combined can reduce weight, which can often reduce high blood pressure, and can also reduce one's chances of getting diabetes. When diet cannot fix high blood pressure, doctors will often turn to medication. A diet change can reduce cholesterol, as can medication. Smokers should quit in order to reduce their chances of coronary artery disease.Treatment
Common non-medical treatments for coronary artery disease are lifestyle changes to increase exercise and improve the healthiness of the patient's diet. If these are not effective, doctors may prescribe medications. In severe cases, more direct medical intervention may be needed. These treatments include angioplasty and stent placement. In the most severe cases, heart bypass surgery may be necessary.Consequences
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Coronary Artery Disease, please consult your doctor.-
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Coronary Artery Disease Questions
What are the risks of Coronary Heart Disease? 1 Answer-Increasing Age (83% are 65 or older) -Sex (more risk for men) -Heredity (Runs in families/genes) -Smoking (2-4 times higher for Smokers) -High Cholesterol ... read more
Is this a case of schizophrenia?It seems that more and more Dr/s are prescribing drugs for this disease. 1 AnswerIt could be a case of schizophrenia. A professional evaluation will certainly be able to tell... and there are a few clinical tests that will show schizophrenia... read more
diseases caused by protozoa in large animals 1 AnswerGoats: "Coccidiosis is caused by protozoans; a coccidia lives inside the cell and reproduces there until it ruptures the cell wall and releases the oocysts. Cry... read more
What diseases are unique to Thailand? 1 AnswerThere are many mosquito diseases unique to Thailand. You can find them here: http://www.thailandguru.com/health-diseases.html read more -
Coronary Artery Disease Discussion and Blogs
- Medtronic: Coronary Artery Disease Patient Stories
- WebMD: Heart Disease: Personal Stories
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