Understanding Heart Disease
The heart pumps blood to supply the body with oxygen and nutrients. The heart muscle also needs its own supply of blood, which it gets through vessels called the coronary arteries. If the coronary arteries become narrowed or partially blocked by the accumulation of fatty materials, the heart muscle is deprived of the oxygen it needs to function. The narrowing or blockage of the arteries is commonly called coronary artery disease or CAD.
As the disease progresses, the heart muscle may not get enough blood-especially under the stress of exercise-which often causes chest pain or other symptoms that should signal you to see your doctor. When one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked, a heart attack can occur.