Coronary artery disease is caused by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries, which are the arteries that provide oxygenated blood to the musculature of the heart. These plaques are mostly made up of cholesterol and represent a major risk factor for more serious types of heart disease.
Stable Angina
Stable angina is the result of the heart's not receiving enough blood to keep up with oxygen demands. The Cleveland Clinic explains that stable angina results in a sensation of pain or tightness in the patient's chest and is commonly brought on by physical or emotional stress. Stable angina is marked by consistently causing the same severity of symptoms and by being brought on by similar levels of exertion each time. Stable angina is considered to be a chronic symptom of coronary artery disease
Unstable Angina
Unstable angina is an acute symptom of coronary artery disease. It can either represent a sudden exacerbation of stable angina, or it can appear as a new symptom (in the absence of stable angina). When stable angina progresses to the unstable form, it can result in more frequent or severe chest tightness or pain. Unstable angina can also be triggered by minimal exertion or even when the patient is at rest.
Variant Angina
Variant angina is angina that occurs when a patient is resting and typically occurs while the patient is asleep. This form of angina is not exclusively a symptom of coronary artery disease; it can occur in people who have healthy coronary arteries. The Cleveland Clinic notes, however, that two-thirds of all patients who experience variant angina have at least one damaged or blocked coronary artery. It is caused by a spasm of the smooth muscle around one of the coronary artery and most often occurs in areas where the coronary artery is partially blocked.
Shortness of Breath
The Mayo Clinic explains that another common symptom of coronary artery disease is shortness of breath. This can be the result of the heart being unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Patients with these symptoms typically note that they become worse with physical exertion, as the body's oxygen needs increase.
Heart Attack
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that one of the most serious symptoms of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. This is commonly a result of one of the coronary artery's plaques breaking, which causes a blood clot to form. The blot clot blocks off blood flow to part of the heart, leading to oxygen deprivation, which can cause severe (and potentially fatal) damage to the heart.
