Extensive Coronary Artery Disease Prognosis

As a leading cause of death globally, it's difficult to say that the prognosis for extensive coronary artery disease is high. Much depends on an individual's willingness to adopt a healthier lifestyle, especially as one ages.

Identification

• Coronary arterial disease (CAD) is a blockage of arteries leading to the heart. This clogging occurs as an accumulation of fatty deposits, known as plaque, narrows arteries and restricts blood flow.

Significance

• The World Health Organization reports that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the world claiming 17.1 million lives annually. CAD is the most common form of CVD.

Prognosis

• Individuals and their various health issues are unique so prognosis for recovery will vary. "Some people can maintain a healthy life by changing their diet, stopping smoking, and taking medications exactly as the doctor prescribes," according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. "Others may need medical procedures such as angioplasty or surgery."

Time Frame

• Age is a chief factor in the mortality rate of coronary artery disease. "Over 83 percent of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older," the American Heart Association says.

Sex

• Males experience a higher rate of heart attack than females. Women typically develop CAD 15 years later than men with 39 percent of women dying from CAD compared with 31 percent of men according to the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine.