Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. CAD affects 1 in 20 adults. When the vessels that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood and vital nutrients (called coronary arteries) become narrowed or obstructed over time, this is referred to as coronary artery disease.

The narrowing of vessels is often because of an accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. This simply means that there is a buildup of cholesterol and fats in the vessels that narrow the opening, which limits blood flow. If left untreated, the vessels can become completely obstructed and lead to a heart attack.

The progression of CAD was long thought to be associated with aging. But the completion of a large and multigenerational study called the Framingham Heart Study highlighted some of the relationships between risk factors and the development of cardiovascular disease. As a result, we now know that people who smoke, eat an unhealthy diet and are not physically active are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular-related diseases.

In addition, those who have other health conditions such as hypertension, high blood cholesterol and diabetes also have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease. Signs that you have CAD can include chest pain while resting or with physical activity, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Interestingly, CAD is the leading cause of death for women. As women age, they become more likely to develop risk factors for heart disease. About 80% of women between the ages 40 and 60 have at least one risk factor. Estrogen is known to protect the blood vessels and heart, but as women go through menopause, estrogen levels decrease, leaving them more susceptible.

Other factors that are unique to women and increase the risk of CAD include hormonal birth control and challenges during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and eclampsia. Symptoms of coronary artery disease are different in women too. Women with CAD may have angina, pain in different areas of the body (such as in the neck and throat), vomiting and sleep abnormalities.

Coronary artery disease is not curable. However, there are medications and treatments, along with lifestyle changes, that can improve your condition. These include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitrates. These medications work by managing blood pressure and vascular tone to help alleviate your symptoms.

Other medications can be used to help manage cholesterol levels, helping reduce continued plaque formation. If noninvasive treatments don’t help, the narrowing of obstructed vessels can be reversed surgically in a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention.  

One the things you can do to protect yourself from developing CAD—in addition to exercise and eating a heart-healthy diet—is pay attention to your body. The first step for maintaining heart health is to understand your risk factors and know the symptoms for early detection.