Coronary artery disease is the leading cardiovascular disease burden worldwide. One person dies every 86 seconds in the United States from coronary artery disease. About 366 000 Americans die from coronary artery disease each year and about 18,2 million adults, aged 20 years and older, have coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is also a major comorbidity driving other cardiovascular diseases. 73% of heart failure patients have coronary artery disease as a comorbidity. 65% of valvular disease patients have coronary artery disease as a comorbidity. 46% of atrial fibrillation patients have coronary artery disease as a comorbidity. 42% of peripheral vascular disease patients have coronary artery disease as a comorbidity.
The development of atherosclerosis from early onset to symptomatic coronary artery disease can stretch over decades.