Abstract

What leads to coronary heart disease?

Author(s): Tushar Tuliani

Coronary heart disease (CHD), or coronary artery disease, develops while the coronary arteries emerge as too narrow. The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and blood to the coronary heart. CHD tends to develop when cholesterol builds up on the artery walls, creating plaques. Due to CHD there is a reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries of the heart. It is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. A common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. It may leads to heart attack if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. This can happen if an area of plaque in a coronary artery ruptures (breaks open). The most common signs and symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath or trouble breathing; fatigue; and swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach, and veins in the neck. All of these symptoms are the result of fluid build-up in your body. When symptoms start, you may feel tired and short of breath after routine physical effort, like climbing stairs.