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Coronary Artery Disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. It is a disease that involves a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle of the heart. It may seem strange if you haven't studied anatomy and physiology, but even though the heart has blood flowing through it constantly, this blood does not supply oxygen and nutrients to the muscle of the heart.
Within the vascular system there are three main arteries. Each of these branch off into smaller arteries and blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Those suffering from coronary artery disease can experience a restriction of blood flow through any of these arteries or blood vessels.
There are many risk factors that can affect your likelihood of contracting this disease. Common risk factors for coronary artery disease include being overweight, not exercising and suffering from hypertension or high cholesterol. Diabetes, family history and age can also affect your chances of contracting this disease, which usually presents itself as atherosclerosis, which are deposits that build up in your vessels restricting the volume of blood that can flow through.
One of the nice things about our blood vessels is that they can usually expand or contract depending on the amount of blood that needs to get through. But when a person has coronary artery disease the blood vessels around their heart lose that ability to stretch. Now, add to this some plaque build-up and the need for more blood to get through (i.e. exercise, stress) and it can result in an obstruction of blood flow.
As blood flow is restricted in the smaller vessels to the heart you may become aware of some off and on chest pain, which is called angina. Resting and de-stressing will usually relieve the pain, as can medication. However, the more often this happens the more likely that these attacks will leave behind damage heart muscle, which can never be repaired. If one of your arteries becomes blocked then this could result in a heart attack, or heart failure.
Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease includes medications prescribed by your doctor, lifestyle changes, minimally invasive medical procedures, and possible open heart surgery.
Within the vascular system there are three main arteries. Each of these branch off into smaller arteries and blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Those suffering from coronary artery disease can experience a restriction of blood flow through any of these arteries or blood vessels.
There are many risk factors that can affect your likelihood of contracting this disease. Common risk factors for coronary artery disease include being overweight, not exercising and suffering from hypertension or high cholesterol. Diabetes, family history and age can also affect your chances of contracting this disease, which usually presents itself as atherosclerosis, which are deposits that build up in your vessels restricting the volume of blood that can flow through.
One of the nice things about our blood vessels is that they can usually expand or contract depending on the amount of blood that needs to get through. But when a person has coronary artery disease the blood vessels around their heart lose that ability to stretch. Now, add to this some plaque build-up and the need for more blood to get through (i.e. exercise, stress) and it can result in an obstruction of blood flow.
As blood flow is restricted in the smaller vessels to the heart you may become aware of some off and on chest pain, which is called angina. Resting and de-stressing will usually relieve the pain, as can medication. However, the more often this happens the more likely that these attacks will leave behind damage heart muscle, which can never be repaired. If one of your arteries becomes blocked then this could result in a heart attack, or heart failure.
Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease includes medications prescribed by your doctor, lifestyle changes, minimally invasive medical procedures, and possible open heart surgery.
About the Author:
Scott Williams is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about coronary artery disease, please visit Heart Attack Diet for informative articles and discussions.
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