Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)

Your heart is an amazing powerhouse that pumps and circulates 5 or 6 gallons of blood each minute through your entire body.

Heart disease begins when cholesterol, fatty material, and calcium build up in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis.Heart disease begins when cholesterol, fatty material, and calcium build up in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis.

Blockage of the coronary arteries by plaque may cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or a fatal rhythm disturbance (sudden cardiac arrest).

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.

Some of the risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

Additional heart disease risk factors include lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, stress, and a "type A" personality

One of the most devastating consequences of heart disease can be sudden cardiac arrest.

Besides chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath, some other common symptoms of heart disease include jaw pain, back pain, and heart palpitations

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Other symptoms of heart disease may include dizziness, weakness, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Women, seniors, and people with diabetes tend to experience heart disease differently than men.

Doctors use a variety of tests to detect heart disease. One common test is the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)