Coronary Artery Disease: A Spectrum, Not a Single Event

IHD is the most common chronic life-threatening illness in the US, affecting 11 million citizens. If all forms of major CAD were eliminated, life expectancy would increase by almost 7 years.

Coronary artery disease is not one disease — it is a spectrum. From a silent plaque forming in a 25-year-old's artery, to stable chest pain on exertion, to a catastrophic STEMI that kills in minutes. Understanding CAD means understanding this progression and the pharmacological arsenal at each stage. This chapter covers angina types, lipid management, acute coronary syndromes, drug protocols, and secondary prevention.