Coronary Heart Disease: Causes and Symptoms

Coronary heart disease causes and symptoms are pretty much similar to other heart disease causes and symptoms.  The number one contributor to coronary heart disease causes is a disease called atherosclerosis, which is what happens when plaque builds up on the walls of blood vessels and arteries.  This will cause the blood vessels to harden and narrow which means less blood reaches the heart.

In coronary heart disease, this happens to the coronary arteries.  This can cause a rupture of the vessel, which in turn will cause a blood clot.  The blood clot will cover the ruptured area, in which blood flow has already been greatly reduced, and reduce it even more.  The clot hardens and even less blood reaches the heart the way it’s supposed to.

Cardiac ishemia then happens, which is one of the coronary heart disease causes.  This is when blood supply is cut off, and if it happens abruptly, a heart attack occurs, robbing the heart muscle of necessary oxygen.  Cells begin to die and the damage to the heart can be permanent.

Coronary heart disease causes and symptoms can vary.  In many cases, some people feel no pain or discomfort whatsoever.  Still others experience chest pain and shortness of breath.  In some cases, the only symptom or warning one might get is cardiac arrest or a heart attack itself!

In men, angina can be a possible symptom.  In women, it often feels more like indigestion or shortness of breath than typical angina.  Often this less typical form of angina may not be eased by rest or caused  by exertion.  Any of these can be coronary heart disease causes and should be closely monitored by your doctor in order to provide the best protection to your heart and health.