What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

In coronary artery disease, the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked by a gradual buildup of fat (cholesterol) within the artery wall, which reduces the blood flow to the heart muscle. This buildup is called "atheroscleroctic plaque" or simply "plaque," and may start slowly progressing in childhood.

If the plaque narrows the channel of the artery, it may make it difficult for adequate quantities of blood to flow to the heart. Basically, there are three main coronary arteries in your heart. These arteries are located in the front of the heart (LAD), in the back of the heart (CIRC), and on the right side of the heart (RCA). One, two, or all three of these coronary arteries or their branches may be involved in the process of narrowing or blockage. The blockage may be partial or complete. Your doctor will inform you of  the sites of your blockage on the enclosed illustration. Then, after surgery, he will mark the course of your bypass grafts. When a coronary artery becomes partially or completely blocked, the part of the heart muscle supplied by the blood vessel does not get its required blood supply

The first symptom generally is chest pain or chest discomfort which may be described as a pressure or heaviness beneath the breastbone (sternum) with associated neck, jaw or arm discomfort. The pattern varies from patient to patient and may have associated symptoms of sweating, shortness of breath, or nausea. This group of symptoms is referred to as angina. Angina is commonly brought on by physical work, mental work or stress, but may come on at rest or even while sleeping at night. Angina may be improved with the use of NTG (nitroglycerine), which helps the heart cope with these partial blockages.

If the blood supply to the blockage is not corrected rapidly, you may develop a "heart attack" (myocardial infarction). The area of the, heart muscle not receiving the blood supply will become scar tissue and will lose its ability to pump.

If your cardiologist or primary care physician has found coronary artery blockages during your catheterization, they have recommended coronary artery bypass surgery to protect your heart muscle from these threatening blockages. Ask your heart surgeon to mark the course of the proposed bypass grafts.

To see if you are at risk of coronary heart disease click here!
 

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The content on this web site is intended to provide you and your family with a better understanding of coronary artery disease, beating heart bypass surgery and endoscopic vein harvesting. This information is not intended as a substitute for an informed discussion with your physician.  We encourage you to maintain an open dialogue with you and your primary care physician.  Please feel free to print the information contained on this web site and share this information with your family and physician(s).

 Arterial & Cardiothoracic Surgery, PA
Office:  10004 Kennerly Rd., Suite 103   St. Louis, MO (314) 849-8600
www.heartsurgery-stlouis.com