January 30, 2021
URBANA, Ill. – Heart disease is a general term referring to several types of heart conditions. The most common form of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease.
CAD occurs when the major blood vessels supplying blood to your heart become damaged or diseased. This is often associated with atherosclerosis. When plaque is deposited on the arteries walls, the vessels become less flexible, and narrowing can occur, contributing to decreased blood flow. As a result, the heart cannot get enough blood, which supplies the necessary nutrients and oxygen, to work correctly. If this occurs, the heart muscle will weaken, increasing the risk of heart failure, chest pain, or a heart attack.