Coronary Artery Disease

The Facts
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of heart attacks and the most common form of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease in the United States. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, almost 13 million Americans have CAD. It is the number one killer of men and women in America, causing one out of every five deaths.

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits accumulate within the walls of the coronary arteries. The fatty deposits thicken the walls, slowing or blocking the flow of blood to the heart.

Who Is At Risk?
Risk factors include:

  • High levels of triglycerides (more than 200 mg/dL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol (more than 160 mg/dL)
  • Low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL)
  • High blood pressure (greater than 140 mmHg systolic pressure or 90 mmHg diastolic pressure)
  • Diabetes
  • Inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Being overweight (a Body Mass Index of 25 or higher)
  • A diet high in saturated fat

What Can I Do?

  • Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Reduce high blood cholesterol by eating a diet low in saturated fats and taking cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed
  • Be physically active each day for 30 to 60 minutes
  • Aim for a healthy weight (a Body Mass Index lower than 25)
  • Lower high blood pressure, with medication if necessary

Why Choose UVa for Coronary Artery Disease Treatment?
Patients at UVa benefit from a team approach at UVa's Heart and Vascular Center that brings together cardiologists, surgeons and interventional radiologists to provide one-stop care on an inpatient or outpatient basis. UVa staff will help you manage your risk factors and use noninvasive methods to diagnose problems. UVa offers a full range of treatment options based on your needs, including diet and exercise plans, drug therapy and minimally invasive surgical procedures.

UVa has been named one of America's top 50 hospitals for heart care and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. UVa also has the only accredited Chest Pain Center in the region to assess and treat heart attacks.