What Causes and Risk Factors Coronary Artery Disease?
Four main things cause this disease. These include smoking, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and certain fats in the blood, and high levels of sugar in the blood because of diabetes or insulin resistance. These four things can cause damage to the coronary arteries and as the body works to heal this damage, compounds that encourage this process are released by excess fatty tissues. As the healing continues, plaque begins to build up in the areas of the arteries where there is damage. Certain risk factors can also contribute to this condition. These risk factors are having family members with this condition (specifically family members who have had premature coronary artery disease), obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.
