What is coronary artery disease?

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a slow process in which deposits of fat, cholesterol and calcium build up inside your arteries (deposits called plaque). This plaque causes your artery walls to become rough, hard and more narrow. When your heart vessels are affected, blood flow and oxygen to your heart are decreased. Atherosclerosis can lead to coronary artery disease (CAD), and when the obstruction reaches a critical point, a heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) occurs.

Northwestern Medicine focuses on treating patients before they develop a sometimes fatal heart attack, using advanced treatment options. If you have coronary artery disease that requires coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery, know that Northwestern Medicine consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the nation for exceptional interventional and surgical outcomes.