Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. It is a condition in which plaque, made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood, builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis.
Plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. It also makes it more likely that blood clots will form in your arteries, resulting in partial or complete blockage of blood flow and sometimes leading to heart attack. The most common symptom of CAD is angina, which can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest.
The SSM Heart Institute cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons can prescribe lifestyle changes, medicines, or medical procedures to prevent or treat CAD. Learn your risk for coronary artery disease and heart attack with our free, easy-to-complete online heart disease risk assessment.