isk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease About Coronary Artery Disease Your coronary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood, oxygen and other nutrients to your heart. To work as it should, your heart needs a steady supply of oxygen and these other nutrients. When your arteries become clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (called plaque) they narrow and do not allow enough blood through to your heart. This is called coronary artery disease or CAD*. CAD is the leading cause of death in men and women in the US.
Risk factors and control Things that increase your chances of getting CAD are called risk factors. Some risk factors you can control. You may have no control over other risk factors, like: H aving a family history of early heart disease
– A father or brother with heart disease before age 55
– A mother or sister with heart disease before age 65 B eing male A ge
– For men – 45 years or older
– For women – 55 years or older
The risk factors for CAD are not always the result of family history or aging, though. * (sometimes
called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries)
Copyright © 2001–2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Product # 429