Heart disease arteriosclerosis

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The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. The right coronary artery supplies both the left and the right heart; the left coronary artery supplies the left heart.

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Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in meat and dairy products.

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A heart attack occurs when one of the arteries that supplies the heart muscle becomes blocked.

Blockage may be caused by spasm of the artery or by ateriosclerosis with clot formation.

The blockage results in damaged tissue and a permanent loss of contraction of this portion of the heart muscle.

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Arteriosclerosis

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Furred up arteries!

Coronary heart disease can become more serious if a narrowed coronary artery becomes blocked by a blood clot. This causes a heart attack. High blood pressure puts an added strain on the heart and can make coronary heart disease worse.

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Human Red Blood Cells, Platelets and T-lymphocyte (erythocytes = red; platelets = yellow; T-lymphocyte = light green) (SEM x 9,900).

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Human Red Blood Cells, Platelets and T-lymphocyte (erythocytes = red; platelets = yellow; T-lymphocyte = light green) (SEM x 9,900).

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Heart disease most often occurs when cholesterol accumulates and forms "plaque" in a coronary artery. With blood flow impeded, the heart becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot forms and completely obstructs the artery, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) can occur.

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How to help prevent heart disease

The major risk factors for coronary heart disease that you can do something about are:

smoking

high blood pressure

high blood cholesterol, and

physical inactivity.

Obesity (being very overweight), drinking too much alcohol, and having too much salt can also increase the risk of coronary heart disease.