CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
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Coronary artery disease, also called
coronary heart disease or heart disease, is the leading cause of
death for both men and women in the United States. According to the
American Heart Association, in 1995 one in every 4.8 deaths in the
United States was caused by coronary artery disease. About every 29
seconds one American will have a heart attack; about every minute
one American will die from a heart attack. Fourteen million
Americans have active symptoms of coronary artery disease (heart
attack or chest pains). Many millions more have silent coronary
disease, the first indication of which can be sudden death.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become
partially blocked or clogged. This blockage limits the flow of blood
from the coronary arteries, the major arteries supplying oxygen-rich
blood to the heart. The coronary arteries expand when the heart is
working harder and needs more oxygen. Arteries would expand, for
example, when a person is climbing stairs, exercising, or having
sex. If the arteries are unable to expand, the heart is deprived of
oxygen (myocardial ischemia). When the blockage is limited, chest
pain or pressure called angina may occur. When the blockage cuts off
the flow of blood, the result is heart attack (myocardial infarction
or heart muscle death).
Healthy coronary arteries are clean, smooth, and slick. The artery
walls are flexible and can expand to let more blood through when the
heart needs to work harder. The disease process in arteries is
thought to begin with an injury to the linings and walls of the
arteries. This injury makes them susceptible to atherosclerosis and
blood clots (thrombosis). |
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