What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Lycette Clarke 09/03/2004
What is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)?
CHD has two principal forms - angina and heart attacks (myocardial infarction). Both occur because the arteries carrying blood to the heart muscle become blocked or narrowed, usually by a deposit of fatty substances, a process known as arteriosclerosis. Angina is a severe pain in the chest brought on by exertion and relieved by rest. A heart attack is due to obstruction of a coronary artery either as a result of arteriosclerosis or a blood clot: part of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and dies.
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