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CAD is also known as ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease (CHD). CAD occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood (and therefore oxygen). This situation is usually caused when one of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) is narrowed or blocked by a process called atherosclerosis.

CAD can result in a number of clinical conditions, including:

angina
heart attack (myocardial infarction)
heart failure
sudden cardiac death

Ischemia is the term used to describe the situation when there is an insufficient blood supply (and therefore, oxygen) to a tissue in the body. Cardiac ischaemia is an insufficient blood supply to the heart. Some people have ischaemic episodes without knowing about them. This silent ischaemia can lead to heart attacks that occur without warning, and sometimes even without pain.

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Glossary

Glossary entries within this article:

Acidosis
- The pH of blood tissue is reduced on account of excessive acid due to failure of circulation or a serious lack of oxygen.
Atherosclerosis
- Accumulation of deposits containing fat on walls of arteries.
Artery
- A vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It generally carries blood which is rich in oxygen. The exception in mammals is the pulmonary artery which takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Atrioventricular node
- Conductive tissue at the bottom of the right atrium where electrical pulses must pass in order to reach the ventricles.
Beta-blocker
- Drug that is used to reduce the occurrence of angina.
Biopsy
- Removal and investigation of tissue for diagnostic purposes.
Blood pressure
- Pressure which is exerted by the heart when it pumps blood.
Blue babies
- This is due to insufficient oxygen in the arterial blood and may be caused by a heart defect, poor respiration, or premature birth.
CAD (coronary artery disease)
- Condition in which deposits of fat or plaques build up in the cells lining the wall of a coronary artery, thus obstructing the flow of blood.
Calcium antagonists
- Drug used to lower the frequency of angina.
Cardiac
- Pertaining to the heart.
Collateral circulation
- Network of small arteries which are normally closed. If the coronary artery is blocked, they may open up in order to take blood to the heart.
Coronary angiogram
- A test to indicate where the arteries are constricted and how narrow they have become.
Coronary
- Relating to the heart or one of the two arteries which originate in the aorta and supply blood directly to the heart tissue.
Congestive Heart Failure
- Condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the requirements of the other organs in the body.
Ischemia
- Local loss of blood supply on account of physical obstruction.
Ischemic heart disease
- Disorder caused by insufficient blood supply due to a constriction of coronary arteries.
Myocardium
- Muscle of the heart wall which contracts in order to expel blood.
CAD
- Coronary artery disease

In the glossary you will find terms that we have provided with some extra-information.

Glossary

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