What is coronary heart disease(CHD)?

Coronary heart disease is also known as coronary artery disease(CAD). This disease is caused by the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. It is a major cause of illness and death. 


 Coronary heart disease is generally caused by atherosclerosis - when plaque (cholesterol substances) accumulates on the artery walls, causing them to narrow, resulting in less blood flow to the heart. Sometimes a clot may form which can obstruct the flow of blood to heart muscle. Coronary heart disease commonly causes angina pectoris (chest pain), shortness of breath, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and other symptoms. 


 The coronary arteries are called so because they encircle the heart like a crown (corona in Latin means crown). 


Statistics
 According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for males and females in the USA. 17.6 million Americans were thought to have had the condition in 2006. It caused the death of over 425,000 people in the USA in 2006. 


 According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, coronary heart disease causes the death of 1 in every 4 men and 1 in every 6 women in the United Kingdom - it is the UK's biggest killer. The risk of developing the disease increases with age. More males are affected than females.


References :
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184130.php

Posted in: Heart Disease, Overview