This section on coronary heart disease provides an overview of this disease and its genetics. As with all health conditions, it is important for you to talk with your doctor about health issues regarding yourself or your family. What everyone should know about coronary heart disease Located in the center of your chest, your heart is a hollow muscular organ with four chambers designed to work efficiently, reliably, and continuously over your lifetime. Your heart's primary functions are to supply oxygen to the body as well as rid it of waste products such as carbon dioxide. Genetics and environment play roles in how healthy your heart remains throughout your lifetime, or if you might develop various forms of heart disease such as coronary heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States among both men and women.
Coronary artery disease is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. The coronary arteries act as pipes bringing blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Overtime, they may become partially or completely clogged with fatty deposits, thereby reducing blood flow to the heart and depriving the heart muscle of oxygen. When that happens, a person is diagnosed with coronary artery disease. A person is generally diagnosed with coronary heart disease if the heart is damaged as a result of coronary artery disease.