Coronary Artery Disease

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 Coronary Artery Disease

 Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death, both in the UK and worldwide. It describes a reduction in blood flow to the myocardiumand has several causes and consequences.

CHD can result in reduced blood flow to the heart as a result of narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. This may be due to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking. All these factors lead to a reduced flow of blood to theheart through physical obstruction or changes in the vessel wall.

Angina pectoris is a moderate consequence of CHD. Angina pectoris describes the transient pain a person may feel on exercise as a result of lack of oxygen supplied to the heart. This pain is felt across the chest but is quickly resolved upon rest. Exercise is a trigger for angina as the coronary arteries fill during the diastolic period of the cardiac cycle. On exercising, the diastolic period is shortened meaning that there is less time for blood flow to overcome a blockage in one of the coronary vessels in order to supply theheart.

If left untreated, angina can soon progress to more severe consequences, such as a myocardial infarction. The sudden occlusion of an artery results in infarction and necrosis of the myocardium.  This means a section of the heart is unable to beat (which part of the heart depends on which artery has become occluded).  

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