Coronary Artery Disease, also called Coronary Heart Disease, affects millions of Americans. This serious disease is a result of plaque buildup in your arteries.

The arteries, which start out smooth and elastic, get plaque on their inner walls, which can make them more rigid and narrowed. This restricts blood flow to your heart, which also restricts the flow of oxygen to your heart.

If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is reduced or blocked, angina or a heart attack can occur. A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious health problems or death.

Atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerotic vascular disease, is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body.

Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.

Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, or even death.