Illustratoin of an artery blocked by plaque - Atherosclerosis is a blockage of the arteries and is most often caused by a gradual build-up of plaque (fatty deposits) inside the arteries. As a result, the blood flow and oxygen supply are decreased.

Coronary artery disease and heart attacks

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrow. This narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque (fatty deposits).

There are two types of plaque:

Hard plaque causes the arteries to become hardened and thick. This type of plaque can cause angina and heart attack.
Soft plaque can break open or break apart and cause a clot. This type of plaque can cause heart attack or stroke (a blocked blood vessel that stops or interrupts blood and oxygen flow to the brain).

Angina and heart attack can cause the same chest discomfort or pain. But a heart attack doesn't go away after 15 minutes or after taking nitroglycerin.

Heart attack, which can cause permanent damage to the heart if medical help isn't sought, is also called a myocardial infarction.

Risk factors for CAD

Risk factors -- habits or conditions that increase your chance of getting coronary artery disease (CAD) -- are:

age
family history of early heart disease
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
tobacco use
lack of regular exercise
obesity
high levels of stress
diabetes

Other names for CAD

Other names for coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death in the U.S. in both men and women, are:

coronary heart disease
heart disease
ischemic heart disease

The general term that includes both unstable or prolonged angina and heart attack is acute coronary syndrome.