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Coronary Artery Disease: The Problem of the Plumbing System
Sometimes things go wrong with the plumbing system (coronary artery circulation). This can be caused by several conditions. Cholesterol or fatty deposits can build up within the artery causing plaque to form. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium and other substances. When it accumulates along an artery wall, it narrows the artery.
If the plaque becomes unstable, it can rupture. Platelets (the part of your blood that causes it to clot) will then stick to the plaque and form a thrombus (blod clot) within the artery itself.
Occasionally, the artery will "spasm" (contract) causing a temporary narrowing of the artery, known as coronary artery spasm.
As a result of any of these situations and symptoms of coronary artery disease, a decreased amount of blood is supplied to the heart muscle. Depending on how severe the vessel narrowing is and how much of the heart muscle is affected, a person may experience angina (chest discomfort) or suffer a heart attack.
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Click here to read more about coronary artery disease, including treatment options.
Who does coronary artery disease affect?
- Approximately 6 million Americans experience angina.
- About 350,000 new cases of angina occur each year.
- Approximately every 29 seconds an American will suffer a coronary event; about every minute someone will die from one.
- This year, an estimated 1.1 million Americans will have a new or recurrent coronary event.
- 12.2 million people alive today have a history of heart attack, angina or both.