Risk factors and causes of CAD

A number of factors have been shown to increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease. They include:

* Family history of cardiovascular disease
* High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides




* Low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), even in the teenage years
* Smoking
* Lack of regular exercise
* High-fat diet
* Overweight or obesity
* Uncontrolled diabetes
* Chronic stress or depression

Other risk factors that increase the risk for coronary artery disease include HIV and chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

CAD patients tend to have periodic episodes where the heart is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood (cardiac ischemia). Some patients feel no symptoms during these episodes (silent ischemia), while others may experience significant chest pain, pressure or discomfort (angina). If an episode of cardiac ischemia is severe or lengthy, it could trigger cardiac arrest (in which the heart stops beating).