Ischemic heart disease affects nearly 10 million Americans, and remains the leading cause of death among U.S. adults. This condition is most often due to a build-up of fat or plaque in the heart’s arteries that can reduce critical blood flow to the heart and often other parts of the body as well. With appropriate medical care, this condition remains stable in the vast majority of patients with few or no symptoms and the ability to pursue normal activities without limitations. Still, ongoing medical therapy and careful monitoring are essential to prevent heart attack and untimely death and should be based on strong scientific evidence and individual patient preferences.