We are not sure about all the causes of coronary artery disease. We do know that some things make it worse and others make it better. Cigarette smoking definitely makes coronary heart disease worse. High levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood seem to speed up the blockage. Diabetes and high blood pressure seem to make it worse also.
Exercise helps coronary artery disease.
Lowering cholesterol, treating diabetes and treating high blood pressure do so as well. If coronary artery disease is very severe, it may be necessary to operate. The operation opens the blockage or puts another type of blood supply around a blocked artery. The operation does not cure the disease. It is very important that people who have coronary artery surgery also do everything they can to help their disease.