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Proposed addition to the Herpes FAQ.
Evidence of type 2 herpes simplex infection in human coronary arteries
at the time
of coronary artery bypass surgery

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What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply
blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become hardened and
narrowed. The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup of a material
called plaque (plak) on their inner walls. The buildup of plaque is
known as atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). As the plaque
increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower
and less blood can flow through them. Eventually, blood flow to the
heart muscle is reduced, and, because blood carries much-needed oxygen,
the heart muscle is not able to receive the amount of oxygen it needs.
Reduced or cutoff blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle can
result in:

Angina (AN-ji-na or an-JI-na). Angina is chest pain or discomfort that
occurs when the heart does not get enough blood.
Heart attack. A heart attack happens when a blood clot develops at the
site of plaque in a coronary artery and suddenly cuts off most or all
blood supply to that part of the heart muscle. Cells in the heart
muscle begin to die if they do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.
This can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and contribute to:
Heart failure. In heart failure, the heart can't pump blood
effectively to the rest of the body. Heart failure does not mean that
the heart has stopped or is about to stop. Instead, it means that the
heart is failing to pump blood the way that it should.
Arrhythmias (a-RITH-me-as). Arrhythmias are changes in the normal
beating rhythm of the heart. Some can be quite serious.
CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause
of death in the United States in both men and women.
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