Coronary Heart Disease

 

The heart muscle depends on a constant flow of blood supplied by the coronary arteries. If this flow is restricted then oxygen and nutrients can’t reach the muscle. This can result in chest pains known as angina, and in more severe causes a heart attack.

 

The extent of the symptoms will depend on the location, severity and speed of onset of the restricted blood supply. This narrowing of the arteries, due to fatty deposits accumulating in the walls, is called atherosclerosis.

 

Atherosclerosis can eventually cause angina, which is chest pains that come on with exercise and relieved by rest. This indicates that the heart muscle is not receiving enough blood. Other triggers of angina include, stress, cold weather and a large meal.

 

An angina attack causes a heavy, tight pain behind the breast bone and can spread to the throat, jaw and the arms, especially the left. Suffers often take medication when this occurs, allowing the arteries to dilate (widen), and therefore increase the blood supply to the heart muscle. Pain will usually subside within 10-15 minutes. If the arteries become completely blocked this can a cause a heart attack, which can be fatal.