Occlusion of Coronary Arteries
As any other cell in the body, cardiac muscle cells require a supply of oxygen and nutrients via the blood. The coronary arteries are those which surround the heart and supply it with blood. When an individual suffers from a occlusion of a coronary artery, what this essentially means is that the artery is subject to partial or complete blockage. This is also known as coronary artery disease.
These blockages are caused by another condition known as atherosclerosis, which involves the buildup of plaques in the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances. The deposit and solidification of plaque causes the blood vessels to narrow. This inhibits blood from passing through effectively. Furthermore atherosclerosis promotes the formation of blood clots. The ability for our blood to clot is essential for our survival since we would otherwise all be exposed to the same threats as hemophiliacs. However these blood clots do not always dissolve in the arteries and can cause a blockage.
Both of these are contributing factors to coronary artery occlusion. As a result of the blood not being able to pass through the vessels effectively due to the more narrow space, patients suffer of chest pain (angina) , shortness of breath and in more unfortunate cases heart attacks can arise. The patient experiences pain as of a result of the heart’s overworking to account for the inefficiency (arrhythmia).
There are certain risk factors which increase the chances of developing coronary artery disease. These include smoking, family history of the disease, high blood pressure, high levels of low density lipoprotein and and low levels of high density lipoprotein (cholesterol), taking birth control pills, diabetes and obesity. How and whether lipids contribute is unsure and currently a debate. However these should be avoided in order to avoid being overweight or obese which is a risk factor.
Partial occlusion may be treated by medication which can cause the artery to expand, prevent the heart rate to increase, relax the muscle in the coronary artery thereby increasing the blood flow in the artery. Alternatively surgery can aswell be performed.
As any other cell in the body, cardiac muscle cells require a supply of oxygen and nutrients via the blood. The coronary arteries are those which surround the heart and supply it with blood. When an individual suffers from a occlusion of a coronary artery, what this essentially means is that the artery is subject to partial or complete blockage. This is also known as coronary artery disease.
These blockages are caused by another condition known as atherosclerosis, which involves the buildup of plaques in the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances. The deposit and solidification of plaque causes the blood vessels to narrow. This inhibits blood from passing through effectively. Furthermore atherosclerosis promotes the formation of blood clots. The ability for our blood to clot is essential for our survival since we would otherwise all be exposed to the same threats as hemophiliacs. However these blood clots do not always dissolve in the arteries and can cause a blockage.
Both of these are contributing factors to coronary artery occlusion. As a result of the blood not being able to pass through the vessels effectively due to the more narrow space, patients suffer of chest pain (angina) , shortness of breath and in more unfortunate cases heart attacks can arise. The patient experiences pain as of a result of the heart’s overworking to account for the inefficiency (arrhythmia).
There are certain risk factors which increase the chances of developing coronary artery disease. These include smoking, family history of the disease, high blood pressure, high levels of low density lipoprotein and and low levels of high density lipoprotein (cholesterol), taking birth control pills, diabetes and obesity. How and whether lipids contribute is unsure and currently a debate. However these should be avoided in order to avoid being overweight or obese which is a risk factor.
Partial occlusion may be treated by medication which can cause the artery to expand, prevent the heart rate to increase, relax the muscle in the coronary artery thereby increasing the blood flow in the artery. Alternatively surgery can aswell be performed.