Coronary Artery Disease
Since 1900, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of mortality in the US every year (except 1918). CVD claimed approximately 1 million lives (US) in 1996: 41.4 percent of all deaths or 1 of every 2.4 deaths. More than 2,600 Americans die each day of CVD; an average of 1 death every 33 seconds. 47.3% of death in men and 52.7% of death in women. 58,800,000 Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to current estimates: 1 in 5 men and women. One in Three men can expect to develop some major cardiovascular disease before age 60; the odds for women are one in ten. CVD results from coronary atherosclerosis, a process of plaque build up facilitated by several risk factors, including genetic predisposition, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol, in addition to other risk factors. Primary prevention is crucial is essential to reduce the chance of developing coronary artery disease. Coronary blockages result in a reduction in blood flow to the heart. Current treatment strategies include risk factor modification, reducing myocardial oxygen demand by medical therapy, and restoring myocardial blood supply by angioplasty and Bypass Surgery