Coronary artery disease (CAD)

The most common but still heartbreaking heart disease

Coronary artery disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (sometimes called "hardening" or "clogging" of the arteries) is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits (called plaques) on the inner walls of the arteries.

CAD happens when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. ... As a result, the heart muscle can't get the blood or oxygen it needs.

My father has this disease, and it cause him to have a heart attack. Thankfully , he pushed through it and is alive today cause a great surgery saved his life.

Is (CAD) hereditary?

The fact that hereditary factors play a role in coronary heart disease has long been known, but whether the increased risk is genetic or due to an unhealthy family environment has not been established so far.

My grandfather also had this disease as well as my father.

Heart disease isn't contagious — you can't catch it like you can the flu or a cold. ... But people do have control over some risk factors — smoking, having high blood pressure, being overweight, and not exercising can increase the risk of getting cardiovascular disease.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:

• Age. Simply getting older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries.
• Sex. Men are generally at greater risk of coronary artery disease. However, the risk for women increases after menopause.
• Family history. A family history of heart disease is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a close relative developed heart disease at an early age. Your risk is highest if your father or a brother was diagnosed with heart disease before age 55 or if your mother or a sister developed it before age 65.

• Smoking. People who smoke have a significantly increased risk of heart disease. Exposing others to your secondhand smoke also increases their risk of coronary artery disease.
• High blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of your arteries, narrowing the channel through which blood can flow.

• High blood cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of formation of plaque and atherosclerosis. High cholesterol can be caused by a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as the "bad" cholesterol. A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as the "good" cholesterol, can also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease share similar risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure.

• Overweight or obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other risk factors.
• Physical inactivity. Lack of exercise also is associated with coronary artery disease and some of its risk factors, as well.
• High stress. Unrelieved stress in your life may damage your arteries as well as worsen other risk factors for coronary artery disease.
• Unhealthy diet. Eating too much food that has high amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, salt and sugar can increase your risk of coronary artery disease.