What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available.

Coronary artery disease, also called CAD, is a condition that affects your heart. It is the most common heart disease in the United States. CAD happens when coronary arteries struggle to supply the heart with enough blood, oxygen and nutrients.

Cholesterol deposits, or plaques, are almost always to blame. These buildups narrow your arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even a heart attack. CAD typically takes a long time to develop. So often, patients don't know that they have it until there's a problem.

But there are ways to prevent coronary artery disease, and ways to know if you're at risk and ways to treat it. Anyone can develop CAD.

It begins when fats, cholesterols and other substances gather along the walls of your arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. It's typically no cause for concern. However, too much buildup can lead to a blockage, obstructing blood flow.

There are a number of risk factors, common red flags, that can contribute to this and ultimately lead to coronary artery disease. First, getting older can mean more damaged and narrowed arteries.

Second, men are generally at a greater risk. But the risk for women increases after menopause. Existing health conditions matter, too. High blood pressure can thicken your arteries, narrowing your blood flow. High cholesterol levels can increase the rate of plaque buildup.

Diabetes is also associated with higher risk, as is being overweight. Your lifestyle plays a large role as well. Physical inactivity, long periods of unrelieved stress in your life, an unhealthy diet and smoking can all increase your risk.

And finally, family history. If a close relative was diagnosed at an early age with heart disease, you're at a greater risk. All these factors together can paint a picture of your risk for developing CAD. When coronary arteries become narrow, the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood.

Remember, unlike most pumps, the heart has to pump its own energy supply. It's working harder with less. And you may begin to notice these signs and symptoms of pressure or tightness in your chest.

This pain is called angina. It may feel like somebody is standing on your chest. When your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you might develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue during activities.

And if an artery becomes totally blocked, it leads to a heart attack. Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing, substernal chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating.

However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing. Diagnosing CAD starts by talking to your doctor. They'll be able to look at your medical history, do a physical exam and order routine blood work.

Depending on that, they may suggest one or more of the following tests: an electrocardiogram or ECG, an echocardiogram or soundwave test of the heart, stress test, cardiac catheterization and angiogram, or a cardiac CT scan. Treating coronary artery disease usually means making changes to your lifestyle.

This might be eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, losing excess weight, reducing stress or quitting smoking. The good news is these changes can do a lot to improve your outlook.

Living a healthier life translates to having healthier arteries. When necessary, treatment could involve drugs like aspirin, cholesterol-modifying medications, beta-blockers, or certain medical procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Discovering you have coronary artery disease can be overwhelming. But be encouraged. There are things you can do to manage and live with this condition. Reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, quitting tobacco, eating healthier, exercising and managing your stress can make a world of difference.

Better heart health starts by educating yourself. So don't be afraid to seek out information and ask your doctors about coronary artery disease. If you'd like to learn even more about this condition, watch our other related videos or visit Mayoclinic.

We wish you well. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include:. Serious congenital heart defects usually are noticed soon after birth.

Congenital heart defect symptoms in children could include:. Less-serious congenital heart defects are often not diagnosed until later in childhood or during adulthood. Symptoms of congenital heart defects that usually aren't immediately life-threatening include:. Early stages of cardiomyopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms.

As the condition worsens, symptoms may include:. The heart has four valves — the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves. They open and close to move blood through the heart. Many things can damage the heart valves. A heart valve may become narrowed stenosis , leaky regurgitation or insufficiency or close improperly prolapse.

Valvular heart disease is also called heart valve disease. Depending on which valve isn't working properly, heart valve disease symptoms generally include:. Endocarditis is an infection that affects the heart valves and inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves endocardium.

Endocarditis symptoms can include:. Heart disease is easier to treat when detected early. Talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns about your heart health. Together, you and your provider can discuss ways to reduce your heart disease risk.

This is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Heart disease causes depend on the specific type of heart disease. There are many different types of heart disease.

A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers. The upper chambers, the right and left atria, receive incoming blood. The lower chambers, the more muscular right and left ventricles, pump blood out of the heart. And a variety of medications, operations, and devices can help support the heart if damage occurs.

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Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Cardiovascular disease CVD refers to several types of disease that involve the heart and blood vessels.

CVD includes coronary heart disease CHD , stroke, heart failure and other conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Heart Disease is a term that refers to several types of heart conditions which include CHD, valves in the heart, and congestive heart failure.

The most common type of heart disease is CHD. CHD occurs when a substance called plaque builds up that narrows the arteries in the heart. A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes completely blocked, resulting in a lack of blood flow to the heart.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and in New York State.

To learn more about heart disease and what you can do to reduce your risk, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. A stroke , also referred to as a brain attack, occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

Stroke is the fourth and fifth leading cause of death in New York State and the U. To learn more about strokes and what you can do to reduce your risk for a stroke, visit the American Stroke Association.

They also provide room for you to write down questions to ask your doctor. This can help you prepare to get the most out of your next visit with your healthcare professional. Some of the sheets also allow you to log and track personal data such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and exercise.

Whether you or a loved one just had an acute event or procedure, have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or have had an event before or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, these sheets will help you start taking action to reduce your risk. Some topics are available for download in Español.

Some topics are also available for download in Español. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors. Your risk of heart disease goes up as you get older. Some factors may affect heart disease risk differently in women than in men. Family history and genetics.

A family history of early heart disease raises your risk of heart disease. And research has shown that some genes are linked to a higher risk of certain heart diseases.

Certain groups have higher risks than others. Lifestyle habits. Over time, unhealthy lifestyle habits can raise your risk heart disease: Eating a diet high in saturated fats , refined carbohydrates, and salt. Not getting enough physical activity.

Drinking too much alcohol. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Too much stress. Having other medical conditions can raise your risk of heart diseases.

These conditions include: High blood pressure. High cholesterol levels. Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Chronic kidney disease. Metabolic syndrome. What are the symptoms of heart disease?

How are heart diseases diagnosed? To find out if you have heart disease, your health care provider will: Ask about your medical history , including your symptoms Ask about your family health history , including relatives who have had heart disease Do a physical exam Likely run heart tests and blood tests In some cases, your provider may refer you to a cardiologist a doctor who specializes in heart diseases for tests, diagnosis, and care.

What are the treatments for heart disease? Possible treatments may include: Heart-healthy lifestyle changes Medicines Procedures or surgeries Cardiac rehabilitation Can heart diseases be prevented?

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Start Here. Heart Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Also in Spanish What Are Heart Disease and Stroke? American Heart Association Also in Spanish Your Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Diagnosis and Tests. Cholesterol Levels National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Heart Disease Risk Assessment National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Lipoprotein a Blood Test National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Picturing the Heart National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

Prevention and Risk Factors. Heart Disease Risk Factors Centers for Disease Control and Prevention How to Prevent Heart Disease: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treatments and Therapies. Blood Thinners: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Five Things to Know about Omega-3s for Heart Disease National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Heart Surgery: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Herbal Supplements and Heart Medicines May Not Mix Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Also in Spanish Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Types of Heart Medications American Heart Association.

Living With. Cardiac Rehabilitation: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Coping with Feelings American Heart Association Healthy Recipes National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Medication Adherence: Taking Your Meds as Directed American Heart Association Medication Management American Heart Association What Is Heart-Healthy Living?

A blocked artery can cause chest pain or a heart attack. Learn more about CHD. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. Not everyone who has a heart attack will have all the signs or symptoms.

Learn more about the signs of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack often come on suddenly. But sometimes, they develop slowly — hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack happens.

Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired for several days, or if you develop any new health problems like pain or trouble breathing.

An ambulance is the best and safest way to get to the hospital. People who call an ambulance often get treated faster at the hospital. And when you call , the operator can tell you what to do until the ambulance gets there.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause heart disease and heart attack. If your cholesterol or blood pressure numbers are high, you can take steps to lower them. Some people will need to get it checked more or less often. Learn more about cholesterol testing.

High blood pressure has no symptoms. Get the facts about blood pressure testing. Your family history affects your risk for heart disease. Share the information with your doctor or nurse. Talk with your doctor to find out if taking aspirin is the right choice for you.

Use these questions to talk with your doctor about statins. Learn more about eating healthy. Heart-healthy items include high-fiber foods whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and certain fats like the fats in olive oil and fish.

Use this shopping list to find heart-healthy foods. For example, ask for a side salad instead of chips or french fries. Get heart-healthy tips for dining out [PDF — 3 MB].