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Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol can combine with other substances in your blood to contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, which over many years can lead to coronary heart disease. This brochure lists the conditions that may put you at risk for coronary heart disease and the goals for treating the disease.
Swollen or damaged airways can make it difficult to breathe. When these conditions are progressive, understanding the symptoms and treatment options is important. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the heart and blood vessels may lead to health problems like high blood pressure, high lipids, acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the kidneys may lead to health problems like hyperkalemia and anemia. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Maintaining a healthy level of glucose (sugar) in the blood and understanding the symptoms and complications when the levels are too high or low is essential to managing diabetes. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you will likely have questions about the disease, how it may be treated and what outcome you might expect with your health condition. It can be hard to understand what cancer means and difficult to talk about. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
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THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR US CONSUMERS
Cholesterol, Coronary Heart Disease, and Atherosclerosis
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol can combine with other substances in the blood to contribute to plaque buildup.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. The buildup of plaque occurs over many years.
| A. Location of the heart | B. Normal coronary artery | C. Narrowing of coronary artery |
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If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is reduced or blocked, angina or a heart attack can occur.
Angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain can also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.
A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn?t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious health problems or death.
Conditions that may put you at risk
Treating coronary heart disease
Treatments for coronary heart disease include heart-healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, medical procedures, and surgery. Treatment goals may include:
Always talk to your doctor about what is best for you. Ask your doctor before starting any treatments or making changes in your routine or medicine.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
