Smoking and cardiovascular disease.
What is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)? The heart needs a steady supply of blood to function effectively. Coronary heart disease is a general term that describes conditions caused by an interrupted or diminished blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. Coronary heart disease usually occurs when fatty materials and a substance called plaque build up in the arteries, which makes them get narrow and allows less blood flow to the heart. This can cause chest pain (known as angina). When the blood supply is totally cut off, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs.