Coronary artery disease (
CAD), also known as
ischemic heart disease (
IHD), is a group of diseases that includes:
stable angina,
unstable angina,
myocardial infarction, and
sudden coronary death. It is within the group of
cardiovascular diseases of which it is the most common type. A common symptom is
chest pain or discomfort which may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. Occasionally it may feel like
heartburn. Usually symptoms occur with exercise or emotional stress, last less than a few minutes, and get better with rest.
Shortness of breath may also occur and sometimes no symptoms are present. The first sign is occasionally a heart attack. Other complications include
heart failure or an
irregular heartbeat. Risk factors include:
high blood pressure,
smoking,
diabetes, lack of exercise,
obesity,
high blood cholesterol, poor diet, and excessive
alcohol, among others. Other risks include
depression. The underlying mechanism involves
atherosclerosis of the
arteries of the heart. A number of tests may help with diagnoses including:
electrocardiogram,
cardiac stress testing,
coronary computed tomographic angiography, and
coronary angiogram, among others.