Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Coronary heart disease) that could possibly cause Coronary heart disease includes:
The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Coronary heart disease:
The following medical statistics relate to risk factors for Coronary heart disease:
To research the causes of Coronary heart disease, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Coronary heart disease:
Causes of Broader Categories of Coronary heart disease: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:
Other conditions that might have Coronary heart disease as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Coronary heart disease. Our database lists the following as having Coronary heart disease as a complication of that condition:
Conditions listing Coronary heart disease as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Coronary heart disease. Our database lists the following as having Coronary heart disease as a symptom of that condition:
Causes: Coronary heart disease:
Narrower coronary arteries near the heart.
Article excerpts about the
causes of Coronary heart disease:
Coronary heart disease, the most common form of heart disease, develops over many years. It can begin as far back as childhood. In a process known as atherosclerosis, fatty substances build up inside the walls of blood vessels. Blood components also stick on the surface inside vessel walls. The vessels narrow and "harden," becoming less flexible. The buildup and narrowing proceed gradually and result in decreasing blood flow and, eventually, the development of symptoms. But the buildup, or "plaque," may break open and suddenly produce a blood clot, limited blood flow, and symptoms. When blood flow to the heart is reduced, chest pain, or angina, can result. If blood flow is nearly or completely blocked, a heart attack can occur and cause muscle cells in the heart to die. Because the cells cannot be replaced, the result is permanent heart damage. (Source: excerpt from Facts About Heart Disease and Women: NHLBI)
Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients that are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is CHD. If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, the heart may respond with pain called angina. The pain is usually felt in the chest or sometimes in the left arm and shoulder. (However, the same inadequate blood supply may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent angina.) (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, coronary heart disease: NHLBI)
CHD is caused by a thickening of the inside walls of the coronary arteries. This thickening, called atherosclerosis, narrows the space through which blood can flow, decreasing and sometimes completely cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart.
Atherosclerosis usually occurs when a person has high levels of cholesterol, a fat-like substance, in the blood. Cholesterol and fat, circulating in the blood, build up on the walls of the arteries. The buildup narrows the arteries and can slow or block the flow of blood. When the level of cholesterol in the blood is high, there is a greater chance that it will be deposited onto the artery walls. This process begins in most people during childhood and the teenage years, and worsens as they get older.
In addition to high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking also contribute to CHD. On the average, each of these doubles your chance of developing heart disease. Therefore, a person who has all three risk factors is eight times more likely to develop heart disease than someone who has none. Obesity and physical inactivity are other factors that can lead to CHD. Overweight increases the likelihood of developing high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, and physical inactivity increases the risk of heart attack. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and smoking cessation are key to controlling the risk factors for CHD. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, coronary heart disease: NHLBI)
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Coronary heart disease:
The following are statistics from various sources about the causes of Coronary heart disease:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Coronary heart disease may be found in:
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