Scientists believe the disease occurs when the layer is damaged lining the inside of the artery (the Endothelium). It is believed that high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and smoking are the factors that contribute to plaque formation.
What are the symptoms?
A person can suffer from atherosclerosis for many years without symptoms. This slow process of the disease may begin in childhood. In some people the disease can cause symptoms between 30 and 40 years of age, while others have no symptoms until after 50 or 60 years. But with increasing the degree of obstruction, reduced blood flow to the heart can start to cause what is called angina pectoris, a term that comes from Latin and means “strangling in the chest.” Patients with angina often report feeling a choking sensation, or burning feeling in the chest. The pain usually occurs when the heart needs more blood supply, such as during exercise or times of emotional stress.
Angina usually begins in the center of the chest but may extend to the arm, neck or jaw. Some people say they feel a numbness or loss of sensation in the arms, shoulders or wrists. An episode usually lasts only a few minutes and goes away with rest. Some patients with CAD may not suffer from angina. Sometimes the poor oxygen supply to the heart (called ischemia) does not cause any pain. This is called silent ischemia.
