Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when fatty substances, known as plaques, adhere to the walls of coronary arteries supplying the heart, narrowing them and constricting blood flow, a process known as atherosclerosis, the most common cause of<unk> . Angina may start to occur when the vessel is 70% occluded. Lack of oxygen may also result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack). CAD can be contracted over time. Risk factors include a family history of CAD, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, inactive lifestyle and high cholesterol. Angina can also occur due to spasm of the coronary arteries, even in individuals without atherosclerosis. In coronary artery spasm, the vessel constricts to limit blood flow through the artery, causing a decrease in oxygen supply to the heart, although the mechanisms for this phenomenon are not fully understood.
Coronary ischemia
Coronary occlusion
Coronary vasospasm
Coronary thrombosis
Proarrhythmia
Myocardial stunning
Ischemia
Myocardial infarction