Certain traits, conditions, or habits may raise your chance of developing CAD. These conditions are known as risk factors.

Some of them are modifiable whereas others are not.

Risk Factors

The more risk factors you have, the greater chance you have of developing coronary artery disease.

• Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Insulin resistance
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Lack of physical activity
• Older Age
• Family history
• High levels of a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Sleep apnea
• Stress
• Alcohol

The usual preceding event is an damage to internal layer f blood vessel. When damage occurs, the body starts a healing process. Excess fatty tissues release compounds that promote this process causing a plaque to build up where the arteries are damaged.

The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries may start in childhood. Over time, plaque can narrow or completely blockcoronary arteries leading to reduction of the  flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.

Plaque sometimes causing   platelets to clump together and form blood clots at the site of the cracks leading to further narrowing of arteries.

When the crtical level of reduction occurs, it causes pain or angina.