Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and the leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerotic plaques build up within coronary artery walls over decades, progressively narrowing the lumen and restricting blood flow to the heart muscle — causing angina on exertion. Plaque rupture with acute thrombosis causes a heart attack. Modern management integrates lifestyle modification, comprehensive risk factor control (antiplatelet therapy, statins, blood pressure management, diabetes management), and revascularisation when appropriate. Percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty and stenting) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are the two principal revascularisation strategies, selected based on coronary anatomy, symptom severity, and patient factors.
