Coronary artery disease (CAD; sometimes called coronary heart disease, or CHD) is the most common kind of heart disease. It happens when the arteries that feed blood to the heart muscles harden and get clogged through atherosclerosis. This process starves the heart of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well. Worsening CAD can lead to permanent heart damage and ultimately death. [1]
What is coronary artery disease?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), is the most common type of heart disease; it is caused by the hardening and clogging of arteries that supply blood to the heart, which leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. If left untreated, worsening CAD can result in permanent heart damage and death.