Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and it is the leading cause of death in the United States. CAD occurs when cholesterol builds up and the arteries that are supposed to supply blood to the heart muscle become harder and less open. The more closed the arteries become, the less blood that can flow through to the heart. Therefore, there is a restriction of oxygen. Chest pains and heart attacks can then occur and can cause permanent heart damage. As time passes, the heart muscles can weaken which can cause heart failures and arrhythmias.
The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina occurs when an area of the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen rich