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Pathogenesis of Coronary Artery Disease

Genetics, a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), is one of the most significant aspects in the pathogenesis of CAD. Adolescence, and perhaps even childhood, is the starting point for an illness which worsens through adulthood.

  1. Heredity/Race

    • Minority groups in the U.S. such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians are impacted by CAD on a much higher scale. Heredity may be the pathogenesis of the disease with environment playing a role.

    Cause

    • According to the Columbia University Medical Center, "The underlying cause is unknown, although it is seen most frequently in people who live in developed industrialized nations." Rich diets, full of processed food and high in fat and sodium, are a likely culprit.

    Risk Factors

    • These environmental and sociological factors contribute to genetic indications as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and consumption of fats lead to an accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque) along artery walls.

    Effects

    • Plaque narrows and clogs arteries, leading to the condition known as atherosclerosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "The most widely accepted theory of atherosclerosis states that the process represents an attempt at healing in response to endothelial (layer of blood vessel cells) injury."

    Prevention/Solution

    • The likelihood of heart attack and stroke is enhanced by the onset of atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes, medication and surgical procedures will be necessary to avoid fatality, especially as patients age past mid-life.

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