What is Heart Disease?
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Dr. Jeff Sparling, INTEGRIS cardiologist
February is American Heart Month and we want to keep you better informed on heart-related issues. Dr. Jeff Sparling, a cardiologist with the INTEGRIS Heart Hospital, explains heart disease and the risk factors that can cause heart disease to occur.
Hi. My name's Dr. Jeff Sparling, a cardiologist with INTEGRIS Health. I'd like to take a few moments of your time to talk with you about coronary artery disease, or heart disease. Coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis, as it's often known to your health care provider, is the process over time of cholesterol plaque, or blockage building up in the arteries that supply your heart with blood. Over the course of time, plaque build up in the coronary arteries can lead to chest pain, also called angina, as well as heart attacks, and ultimately, congestive heart failure.
Certain risk factors for the development of heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and a family history.
If you think you have any of these risk factors, or you're concerned about heart disease in your own life, please talk with your doctor. Thanks very much.