Which part of the circulatory system is affected in coronary artery disease?

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), also known as ischemic heart disease, specifically affects the coronary arteries. These are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood and essential nutrients directly to the heart muscles (myocardium).

• The disease is typically caused by atherosclerosis, where plaque (cholesterol deposits) builds up inside the arterial walls, causing them to narrow or harden.
• This restriction in blood flow can lead to chest pain (angina) or, if a complete blockage occurs, a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
• Arteries supplying the lungs are pulmonary arteries, those supplying the kidneys are renal arteries, and those supplying the brain include the carotid and vertebral arteries.