Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the term commonly used in the UK for coronary artery disease (CAD): the narrowing and blockage of the coronary arteries due to the build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. The two terms are interchangeable in everyday clinical practice and public health contexts, though CAD is more commonly used in cardiology literature.
CHD is the single biggest cause of death in the UK and a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in people over 40. The same processes of plaque development, rupture, and clot formation apply whether the condition is called CHD or CAD. Risk factors include smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, and family history.
For a full description of the disease process, symptoms, investigations, and treatment options, see Coronary Artery Disease.
« Back to Glossary Index