Narrowing of the heart arteries.
When atherosclerosis affects the arteries of the heart muscle.
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which reduces the supply of blood, and therefore of oxygen, to the heart muscle.
Damage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. This disease is usually the result of cholesterol plaques on the lining of the arteries that impair blood supply and may cause angina (chest pressure or pain) or heart attack.
A disease resulting from an irregular thickening of the inner layer of the walls of the coronary arteries which conduct blood to the myocardium the lumens of these arteries are narrowed and the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced.
Condition in which one or more coronary arteries are occluded, providing decreased blood supply to the heart and resulting in myocardial damage.
Condition in which the myocardium receives inadequate blood supply, pertaining to the heart.
Illness, most often due to arteriosclerosis, that damages the arteries of the heart, reducing the blood flow to areas of the heart muscle (myocardium).
Narrowing or blockage of the arteries that nourish the heart by deposits of cholesterol, calcium, and other materials; also known as coronary heart disease. Even though blood flows through the heart, the heart muscle itself gets the oxygen it needs from the coronary arteries, which branch off from the base of the aorta (the main artery carrying oxygen-rich blood out of the heart). The coronary arteries travel over the surface of the heart, encircle the top, and branch out toward the bottom, forming the pattern of a crown (corona means “crown” in Latin).
Narrowing of the coronary arteries, usually as a result of atherosclerosis. It is the single most common cause of death in industrialized nations. In the U.S. in 2001, 460,000 people died of coronary artery disease.
A chronic condition, commonly referred to as atherosclerosis, manifests as the progressive thickening and hardening of arteries, accompanied by the accumulation of plaque on their inner walls. This detrimental process can lead to a reduction or impairment of blood flow, thereby affecting the circulation throughout the body.
Coronary artery disease refers to the narrowing of the blood vessels that provide oxygenated blood to the heart, resulting in impaired heart function or damage. The prevalent heart conditions associated with coronary artery disease include angina pectoris, characterized by chest pain caused by inadequate oxygen supply to the heart, and myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.
The primary cause of coronary artery disease is often attributed to a condition called atherosclerosis, characterized by the formation of fatty plaques on the inner linings of arteries. When an affected artery narrows, it can become completely obstructed if a blood clot forms or becomes lodged in the narrowed region.
Atherosclerosis, a complex condition, arises from various interconnected causes. These include smoking, a diet high in fat, physical inactivity, obesity, and elevated levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Additional risk factors encompass genetic predisposition, as well as medical conditions like diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
During its initial stages, coronary artery disease often remains asymptomatic, showing no noticeable symptoms. The first indication is typically the occurrence of chest pain known as angina or an actual heart attack.
Coronary artery disease can also result in arrhythmias, characterized by irregularities in the heartbeat. In severe cases, these arrhythmias can lead to cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heart ceases to beat. Additionally, in elderly individuals, the disease can progress to heart failure, a gradual decline in the heart’s efficiency over time.
Medications are administered to enhance the efficiency of the heart and alleviate symptoms associated with coronary artery disease. These medications encompass glyceryl trinitrate and other nitrate drugs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, potassium channel activators, and vasodilator drugs. Their respective functions vary, but they are all aimed at improving heart function and promoting symptom relief.
If symptoms of coronary artery disease persist despite drug treatment or if there is significant narrowing of the coronary arteries, two procedures can be considered to enhance blood flow. Balloon angioplasty, a minimally invasive technique, involves using a balloon to widen the narrowed artery. Another option is coronary artery bypass surgery, which is performed when there is extensive narrowing and involves creating alternate pathways for improved blood flow.