Coronary heart disease (CHD) is primarily caused by the build-up of fatty deposits, known as atheroma, on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. This process, called atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle.
Understanding Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the root cause of CHD. Let's break down what that entails:
- Atheroma Formation: Fatty deposits (atheroma) accumulate on the artery walls.
- Arterial Narrowing: These deposits cause the arteries to narrow.
- Reduced Blood Flow: The narrowing restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
The Process in Detail
The following table illustrates the process leading to coronary heart disease:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Initial Damage | Damage to the inner lining of the artery, often caused by high blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol. |
| 2. Plaque Formation | Cholesterol and other fats begin to accumulate at the site of the damage. |
| 3. Atheroma Build-up | Over time, more and more fatty substances build up, hardening into plaque (atheroma). |
| 4. Artery Narrowing | The plaque causes the artery to narrow, restricting blood flow. |
| 5. CHD Symptoms | Reduced blood flow leads to symptoms like angina (chest pain) or, in severe cases, heart attack. |
Impact on the Heart
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to several problems:
- Angina: Chest pain caused by reduced oxygen supply to the heart.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is completely blocked, causing damage or death of heart tissue.
- Heart Failure: The heart becomes too weak to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Example
Imagine a garden hose. If you pour grease down the hose, it will gradually build up on the inside, narrowing the passage. This makes it harder for the water to flow through, and eventually, the hose could become completely blocked. Similarly, in CHD, atheroma builds up inside the coronary arteries, hindering blood flow to the heart.
