Is Coronary Heart Disease and Coronary Artery Disease the same thing?

Question

Is Coronary Heart Disease and Coronary Artery Disease the same thing?

Answer 1

They are one and same thing:
Other Names for Coronary Artery Disease
CAD
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
Ischemic heart disease(IHD)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup of a material called plaque (plak) on their inner walls. The buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). As the plaque increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower and less blood can flow through them. Eventually, blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced, and, because blood carries much-needed oxygen, the heart muscle is not able to receive the amount of oxygen it needs. Reduced or cutoff blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle can result in:

Angina: Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood.
Heart attack. A heart attack happens when a blood clot develops at the site of plaque in a coronary artery and suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to that part of the heart muscle. Cells in the heart muscle begin to die if they do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and contribute to:
Heart failure. In heart failure, the heart can’t pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop. Instead, it means that the heart is failing to pump blood the way that it should.
Arrhythmias (a-RITH-me-as). Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of the heart. Some can be quite serious.
CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.

Answer 2

Coronary Artery Disease means that the arteries are blocked by plaque, and there is concern that there may be a blockage with a blood clot. This is the new catch phrase for Coronary Heart Disease. It actually better describes the condition that will cause a heart attack. These people usually go onto to having stents put in for too great of a blockage or, even coronary by-pass surgery, which eliminates the problem altogether.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

They are commonly used interchangably.

Technically speaking, however, as other respondants have rightly stated - coronary artery disease is plaquing of the arteries. It is commonly thought that at least 70% blockage needs to be present before it causes "ischemic disease" (inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle).

Coronary Heart Disease implies that the heart muscle has actually been effected by the blockages and there are changes in the way the heart contracts that accompany this lack of blood supply. Changes in the heart muscle from the arteries verses changes in the arteries.

This is purely semantics however, as I stated to begin with, these terms are commonly used interchangably.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Basically its the same.I have plaguing and they call it CAD.You can have hardening of the arteries and they call it CHD.The fact is they both are bad.
Coronary by pass doesn't eliminate the problem .Most of the time they last 5 to 10 years and you have problems with them.Stints and by pass can both re-block if you don't change your life style and take your meds as your Dr. tells you.

Answer 7

Heart disease falls under the general heading of Cardiovascular disease. The heart is part of the cardiovascular system, which includes the arteries and veins. So you can have a condition affecting your cardiovascular system that may have nothing to do with your heart.