Complete Medical Guide and Prevention for Heart Diseases Volume XI; Coronary Heart Disease
Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Health, Ailments & Diseases, Heart, Health Care Issues
| Author: | Medical Professionals | ISBN: | 1230000037130 |
| Publisher: | MedHealth | Publication: | December 6, 2012 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Medical Professionals |
| ISBN: | 1230000037130 |
| Publisher: | MedHealth |
| Publication: | December 6, 2012 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (sometimes called “hardening” or “clogging” of the arteries) is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits (called plaques) on the inner walls of the arteries. These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle by physically clogging the artery or by causing abnormal artery tone and function.
Without an adequate blood supply, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly. This can cause chest pain called angina. If blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle is cut off entirely, or if the energy demands of the heart become much greater than its blood supply, a heart attack (injury to the heart muscle) may occur.
It is most commonly equated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, but coronary disease can be due to other causes, such as coronary vasospasm, where the stenosis to be caused by spasm of the blood vessels of the heart it is then usually called Prinzmetal's angina.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (sometimes called “hardening” or “clogging” of the arteries) is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits (called plaques) on the inner walls of the arteries. These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle by physically clogging the artery or by causing abnormal artery tone and function.
Without an adequate blood supply, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly. This can cause chest pain called angina. If blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle is cut off entirely, or if the energy demands of the heart become much greater than its blood supply, a heart attack (injury to the heart muscle) may occur.
It is most commonly equated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, but coronary disease can be due to other causes, such as coronary vasospasm, where the stenosis to be caused by spasm of the blood vessels of the heart it is then usually called Prinzmetal's angina.
