What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease (coronary atherosclerosis) occurs when the arteries are injured.

The normal artery has three layers in the wall, a thin inner lining layer (endothelium), a think muscular middle layer (media), and a thin outer layer (adventitia).

As coronary artery disease develops, plaque is deposited into the thin inner lining endothelial layer which becomes thicker.

Initially, the vessel expands to accommodate the volume of plaque without compromising the central passageway (lumen), however, when this process is overcome, the lumen is restricted and the blood flow compromised.

When the blood supply to the heart muscle is compromised it can cause chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath.  This is often first noticeable at times of increased demand on the heart muscle such as with exertion or stress.  It is even of more concern when symptoms occur at rest.