Coronary Artery Disease [FULL STORY]
"Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the inner walls of the heart's arteries become narrowed by an accumulation of plaque. Over time, as more plaque accumulates, the channel for blood flow narrows. Some parts of the heart muscle may not get enough oxygen, leading to a type of chest pain, called angina.

Eventually, the plaque can build up enough to completely block the flow of blood. More commonly, some of the plaque breaks loose. The body senses this as an injury and forms clots to "heal" the area. The clots can also block the flow of blood. In either case, the area of heart muscle fed by the part of the artery beyond the point of blockage is deprived of oxygen and dies. This is known as a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The American Heart Association estimates 1.2 million men and women will have a heart attack this year. In 2003, heart attacks killed 221,000 Americans. Of those who survive, 25 percent of men and 38 percent of women will die within one year. Within six years of a heart attack, 18 percent of men and 35 percent of women will die..."