Causes
A low supply of oxygen in the heart is most often caused by atherosclerosis,
also called "hardening of the arteries." In this condition, fatty
deposits called plaques form in the linings of the blood vessels. The
plaques make the arteries narrower as they build up, and less blood is able
to get through to the heart, depriving it of oxygen. Atherosclerosis is often
the result of too much "bad" cholesterol (low density lipids
and triglycerides) circulating in the blood stream.
You are at risk for developing atherosclerosis and CAD if you:
- have high levels of "bad" cholesterol (either from a high-fat
diet, or produced naturally by the liver)
- have high blood pressure
- are a smoker
- have diabetes
- lead a sedentary lifestyle
- are overweight (particularly if you are a man and are obese in the torso)
Occasionally, a genetic condition can cause atherosclerosis, leading to heart
disease.
Men run a higher risk of developing the disease than pre-menopausal women.
After menopause, the incidence of CAD in women increases, and can be equal to
that in men.