Knowra Coronary artery disease Coronary artery disease Coronary artery disease is narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle, usually caused by atherosclerotic plaque. It can restrict oxygen delivery and cause chest pain or a heart attack.
Atherosclerosis : A disease in which lipid-rich plaques form in artery walls, narrowing or stiffening the arteries. It is the underlying artery-wall process that causes most coronary artery disease.
Angina pectoris : Chest discomfort caused by temporary myocardial ischemia, commonly during exertion or emotional stress. It is a common symptom when narrowed arteries cannot increase blood flow enough.
Low-density lipoprotein : A cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein particle that can enter artery walls and contribute to atherosclerotic plaque. Higher LDL exposure promotes the plaque accumulation central to coronary disease.
Stable angina : Predictable chest discomfort caused by exertion or stress when fixed coronary narrowing limits blood flow. It represents chronic, demand-related ischemia rather than a sudden plaque event.
Heart failure : A clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot pump or fill adequately to meet the body's needs. Extensive ischemic injury can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure.
Endothelial dysfunction : Impaired function of the thin cell layer lining blood vessels, which normally regulates vascular tone, inflammation, and clotting. Damage to this lining helps initiate plaque formation in coronary arteries.
Acute coronary syndrome : A group of urgent conditions caused by sudden reduced blood flow to the heart, including unstable angina and heart attack. Plaque disruption and clot formation can make coronary disease an acute emergency.
Familial hypercholesterolemia : An inherited disorder, usually involving impaired LDL clearance, that causes very high LDL cholesterol from birth. It can produce coronary atherosclerosis decades earlier than typical.
Unstable angina : New, worsening, or rest-related ischemic chest discomfort without detectable acute heart-muscle injury by standard biomarkers. It signals an acute coronary syndrome without the myocardial damage that defines infarction.
Sudden cardiac death : Unexpected death from an abrupt loss of effective heart function, often caused by a fatal arrhythmia. Coronary disease can trigger lethal arrhythmias, especially during or after a heart attack.
Show all 29