Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
NHS 25 March 2026
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle) become narrowed by a build-up of fatty deposits called atherosclerosis. This reduces blood flow to the heart.
Symptoms
- Angina — chest pain or discomfort when the heart is working harder; often triggered by exercise or stress
- Shortness of breath
- Heart attack — sudden severe chest pain; seek emergency help immediately (call 999)
- Heart failure — when the heart cannot pump blood around the body effectively
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Family history
- Age (risk increases with age)
Treatment
- Lifestyle changes — healthy diet, regular exercise, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol
- Medicines — statins (to lower cholesterol), aspirin, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors
- Procedures — coronary angioplasty with stents, bypass surgery for severe blockages
Getting Help
If you have chest pain that does not go away, call 999 immediately. The British Heart Foundation helpline is available on 0300 330 3311.