Coronary artery disease develops when your coronary arteries —
the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood,
oxygen and nutrients — become damaged or diseased. Cholesterol-
containing deposits (plaque) on your arteries are usually to
blame for coronary artery disease.  When plaques build up, they
narrow your coronary arteries, causing your heart to receive
less blood. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest
pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery
disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a
heart attack.  Because coronary artery disease often develops
over decades, it can go virtually unnoticed until you have a
heart attack. But there's plenty you can do to prevent and treat
coronary artery disease. Start by committing to a healthy
lifestyle.  Jun. 29, 2012