Coronary heart disease (CAD) is one of the most common types of heart disease. In the United States, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women. The disease occurs when a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary artery. The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscles. Both of my grandfathers have coronary heart disease and I want to learn more about this disease to better understand how it affects them both mentally and physically. Although coronary heart disease does not have a precise definition of who, what or when it is said to have been discovered in the 13th century. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have studied the coronary arteries. William Harvey, in the 16th century, is also said to have discovered how blood moves throughout the body. It was not until the 19th century that doctors and researchers began to shift their focus to the coronary arteries. Towards the end of that century, researchers realized that blocking a dog's arteries would cause their ventricles to "whurl" and kill them within a short period of time. In 1878, Ludwig Hektoen hypothesized that certain diseases resulted from coronary artery disease, such as myocardial insult. Until the mid-1900s, researchers weren't sure what coronary heart disease actually was. Over the past 60 years, a large amount of data has been discovered. Recently, scientists in 2011 discovered an Egyptian princess who lived more than 3,500 years ago and died of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in America, affecting more than 13 million people. Coronary artery disease occurs when a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. These arteries disperse rich oxygen...... middle of paper...... problems and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in both men and women, there are many support groups and organizations funding research to find cures. Some patients have to give up work or physical activities because their heart is not able to handle them. People with coronary heart disease usually have to give up alcohol, which can interfere with their social life. The consequences of coronary heart disease usually take a toll both mentally and physically, but with the help of family and friends, most people cope. /cad/causes.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/treatment.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad /prevention.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/livingwith.html