Coronary artery disease is a disease of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Learn all about it!
Coronary artery disease is a disease of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is caused by fatty deposits that have accumulated in the cells lining the of a coronary artery which obstructs blood flow. The damage done by this disease can cause various malfunctions of the heart.
When fatty deposits known as atheromas or plaque gradually build up and are scattered around the two main branches of the coronary arteries this is known as atherosclerosis. These atheromas will often bulge into the arteries causing them to narrow. When the atheromas enlarge it is not uncommon for portions to rupture and enter into the blood stream. In some cases small blood clots will form on the surface of the atheromas. These may break away causing additional artery blockage. A normal heart will contract and pump blood but in order to do so it requires a continuous supply of blood that is oxygen enriched. With healthy coronary arteries, supplying this blood does not present a problem. But when an obstruction of the coronary arteries occurs it will worsen over time causing an inadequate supply of blood to the heart which will damage the heart. When this happens the inadequate blood flow is called ischemia.
Coronary artery disease increases in risk when a person has elevated levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is also known as LDL cholesterol, in the blood. This risk decreases when the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL cholesterol are elevated. In most cases it is the diet of a patient that will influence the total cholesterol level. In America the typical diet has been known to increase the total cholesterol levels of most people. Recent studies have shown that lowering the levels of total cholesterol or bad cholesterol by changing the diet or taking prescribed drugs when needed can slow or reverse the progress of coronary artery disease. Especially when this is coupled with the depletion or lowering of other risk factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure, male steroids, high triglyceride levels and a genetic predisposition.
In the United States alone, coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. It is also the major cause of of cardiovascular disease. Angina pectoris, a temporary chest pain which occurs when the heart is not receiving enough oxygen, is a result of coronary artery disease although it has been known to result from other causes as well. There are many test given when angina is present to help diagnose the origin of the pain. The exercise tolerance test, radionuclide imaging, exercise echocardiography, coronary arteriography, ECG monitoring and angiography may all be used to determine the cause. Still, the key factors that will determine what might happen to a person who is experiencing angina are age, the extent of their coronary artery disease, the severity of symptoms and most important the amount of normal heart muscle function that the person has.
When coronary artery disease has progress for some time several treatments may be tried. Drug therapy known as stable angina treatment, unstable angina treatment, coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty are a few. There are also newer techniques being used to remove atheromas. All of these treatments only correct the problem. They will not cure the underlying disease.
