Heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries (blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart muscle) become clogged with fatty deposits called plaque. It usually takes many years of plaque buildup before symptoms appear. When the coronary arteries have been sufficiently clogged to cause a reduction in blood flow to the heart, symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and dizziness may appear. While there is no cure for heart disease, it can be controlled with medications and lifestyle changes.
(Click Heart Disease for a list of risk factors for heart disease, to find out other symptoms of the condition, and to learn more about various treatment options. You can also click on the various links in the box to the right to access specific topics on heart disease.)
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