what does coronary artery disease damage
Coronary artery disease is caused by hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. This means that fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.Atherosclerosis can affect any arteries in the body.When it occurs in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (the coronary arteries), it is called coronary artery disease.hen plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the heart may not get the blood that it needs to work well. This is called ischemia (say is-KEE-mee-uh). Ischemia can cause symptoms such as chest pain or pressure. Over time, ischemia can weaken or damage the heart.