What is coronary artery disease? | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine・12 minutes read
The heart pumps blood throughout the body and requires oxygen to function properly. Coronary artery disease can lead to plaque buildup, causing conditions like stable angina, unstable angina, heart attack, and heart failure.
Insights
- The coronary arteries are crucial for providing the heart with oxygen, running on the outer surface of the heart to ensure proper function.
- Distinguishing between stable angina, unstable angina, heart attack, and heart failure is essential, as each represents a distinct condition with specific causes and outcomes related to heart health.
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Recent questions
What is the function of the heart?
The heart is a muscular pump that circulates blood throughout the body, beating around 100,000 times daily.
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Summary
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"Understanding Heart Health and Coronary Artery Disease"
- The heart is a muscular pump that pumps blood throughout the body, beating about 100,000 times a day.
- Muscles, including the heart, require oxygen to function properly.
- The heart does not receive an unlimited supply of oxygen from the blood it pumps out due to the thickness of its walls.
- The coronary arteries provide the heart with the necessary oxygen by running on the outside of the heart.
- Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty substances build up in the arteries, leading to plaque formation.
- Atherosclerosis, caused by cholesterol deposition in damaged vessel walls, hardens and stiffens the blood vessel.
- Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to stable angina, causing chest pain during exertion.
- Unstable angina occurs when a plaque ruptures, leading to blood clot formation and chest pain at rest.
- A heart attack can result from a ruptured plaque causing a complete blockage of a blood vessel, leading to heart muscle death.
- Prompt medical intervention within 20 minutes of a heart attack can save the affected heart muscle.
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Differences Between Heart Attack and Heart Failure
- Heart attack results in a piece of the heart muscle dying due to lack of oxygen.
- Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs.
- Heart attack and heart failure are distinct conditions, with heart attack involving heart muscle death and heart failure involving inadequate blood pumping.
