Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels. This is a process that occurs naturally in the body (for healing and restoring blood to tissues after an injury or in females during the monthly reproductive cycle.) Therapeutic angiogenesis is a term that describes the stimulation of new blood vessel growth with growth factors to treat diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke and delayed wound healing. In these conditions, inadequate blood vessels are present and circulation is poor and can lead to tissue damage death. Since blood vessel cells do not normally grow in the healthy adult, the stimulation of new blood vessel growth may facilitate adequate blood flow to the disease affected area or organ.