Definition: A common form of heart disease that occurs when arteries become lined with heavy deposits of plaque — a substance made up of fat and calcium in a condition known as atherosclerosis.
Also Known As: Heart disease, arteriosclerosis, arterial sclerosis, hardening of the arteries, induration of the arteries
Examples: Because so many women over fifty die of heart disease, studies are underway to determine what effect, if any, estrogen has on the risk for coronary artery disease in post-menopausal women.