Coronary heart disease

Organisation · Animal tissues, organs and organ systems · note 12 of 20

Spec 4.2.2.4Download these notes (PDF)16 pages

Coronary heart diseaseSpec 4.2.2.4

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a non-communicable disease: it is not caused by a pathogen and cannot be passed from person to person.

In CHD, layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them. This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, resulting in a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle.

Stents are used to keep the coronary arteries open.
Statins are widely used to reduce blood cholesterol levels, which slows down the rate of fatty material deposit.

Fatty material builds up inside a coronary artery.
The artery narrows, so less blood flows through it.
The heart muscle receives less oxygen.

Three sections of a coronary artery: healthy with a wide lumen, narrowed by fatty material so less blood flows, and held open by a mesh stent. — Fatty material narrows the coronary artery. A **stent** holds it open so blood can reach the heart muscle.