THE CORONARY ARTERIES Your heart also needs its own constant supply of oxygen to keep pumping. Coronary arteries carry blood rich in oxygen to the heart. HEART DISEASE Heart disease is a group of conditions affecting the heart. Your healthcare provider has told you that you have coronary artery disease. In coronary artery disease, one or more of the coronary arteries becomes narrow or blocked. This stops the heart from getting enough oxygen to pump well. Coronary artery disease can cause: • Chest pain (angina) • Heart attack (myocardial infarction) • Sudden stopping of the heart (cardiac arrest) CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE Normally, blood flows through blood vessels like water through a hose.
In coronary artery disease, the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, which reduces blood flow to the heart. This is often called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. ATHEROSCLEROSIS © Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque on the inside wall of an artery. Plaque is a sticky mixture of fatty streaks that build up, making the walls of the arteries thick and hard. The coronary arteries and the arteries in the neck and the legs are affected most often. Atherosclerosis usually starts early in life. Many people have plaque by middle age. Over time, the artery narrows or gets blocked. This stops blood from flowing through the artery.
A plaque can also break open. If this happens, a blood clot (thrombus) forms at the break and blocks blood flow. Mild plaque often does not affect blood flow very much. Atherosclerosis does not usually have any symptoms until the artery is blocked by at least half. Severe blockage causes symptoms in most people. The first symptom of coronary artery disease is often chest pain caused by angina. Understanding Your Heart And The Causes Of Heart Disease | 3