This is known as the diastolic pressure and is the bottom number of the blood pressure reading. It increases the workload of the heart, causing the heart muscle to become enlarged over time. It increases the heart's need for oxygen. The constant increased pressure damages the inside lining of the arteries and causes small rough spots that attracts cholesterol resulting in a build up of plaque. This leads to a narrowing of the artery which decreases blood flow.
Cholesterol is the fat that is found in atherosclerotic plaque.
It narrows the artery, reducing blood flow. Age, gender, heredity, and diet affect cholesterol levels. Refer to section on Cholesterol. Exercise can help decrease other risk factors such as high blood pressure, stress, obesity, and high cholesterol levels. If there is a family history of coronary artery disease, it is more likely that future generations will develop coronary artery disease.