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When atherosclerosis narrows the coronary arteries, the condition is called coronary artery disease
(CAD) or heart disease.
What are the coronary arteries?
 Your heart is like other muscles and organs in your body because it requires oxygenated blood to operate efficiently and effectively.
Ironically, while oxygen-rich blood continually pumps through the heart's left chambers, none of this blood is actually used to supply
oxygen to the heart muscle. Instead, the coronary arteries, which are located on the surface of the heart, deliver oxygenated blood to
the heart muscle. To learn more about the coronary arteries, visit the Heart Information section of our web site.
Your coronary arteries are especially small so they're even more susceptible
to the adverse effects of atherosclerosis. Plus, the coronary arteries are tasked with the vital
function of supplying blood to the heart muscle allowing it to pump blood effectively. CAD is a
condition that can be prevented and minimized by understanding your uncontrollable risk factors and
taking steps to minimize your controllable risk factors. Your cardiologist may also prescribe
medications and/or perform invasive therapies, such as angioplasty, to stave-off the progression of
CAD.
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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)