What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?

The common modifiable risk factors which cause coronary artery injury are:

  • Smoking *
  • Diabetes *
  • Cholesterol *
  • High blood pressure * (hypertension)

Other non-modifiable risk factors include:

  • Male gender
  • Increasing age
  • Family history (genetics)

All of these risk factors can help to determine the risk of a patient developing coronary artery disease.  The first list of modifiable risk factors (*) deserves particular attention as this is where risk reduction is possible.  This is where your doctors will focus to help you to prevent a future heart attack.

Related Conditions and Procedures

What is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)?


OCT images the coronary arteries using high-definition light images

What Is Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)?


IVUS images the coronary arteries using high-definition ultrasound images

What Is Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)?


Fractional Flow Reserve measures the pressure beyond a coronary blockage to assess the severity.

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?


Coronary artery disease is the process that causes blockages in the coronary arteries

What Is a CT Coronary Angiogram (CTCA)?


Images the coronary arteries with CT

What Is a Coronary Angiogram?


Takes x-ray images of the coronary arteries.

What Is a Cardiac Cath?


Images the coronary arteries by directly injecting x-ray dye