Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries due to old age. In atherosclerosis, plaque build-up in the arteries is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances from the blood.
Plaque build-up in the arteries often begins in childhood. Over time, plaque build-up in the coronary arteries can:
The risk factors that can contribute to coronary artery disease include: