Table of contents:
- The coronary arteries are the main blood vessels of the heart
- Left Main Coronary Artery
- Right Coronary Artery
- Why are coronary arteries important?
- What is coronary artery disease?
The heart is a vital organ that functions to receive and pump blood throughout the body. In the heart, there is a large blood vessel called the coronary artery. The job of the coronary arteries is to flow fresh, oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the heart muscles. The following is a brief description of the coronary arteries and their functions.
The coronary arteries are the main blood vessels of the heart
The coronary arteries are one of the three main blood vessels that surround the heart. Arteries have walls that are elastic enough to keep blood pressure consistent.
Based on the picture above, there are two types of coronary arteries in the heart, namely:
Left Main Coronary Artery
The main left coronary artery supplies blood to the left side of the heart muscle (left ventricle and atrium). The left main coronary artery then branches to form:
- Artery Left Anterior Descending (LAD), serves to provide blood to the top and left of the heart.
- Artery Left Circumflex (LCX), The left main artery branches around the heart muscle and provides blood to the outside and back of the heart.
Right Coronary Artery
The right coronary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the right ventricle, right atrium, SA (sinoatrial) and AV (atrioventricular). The right coronary artery branches into an artery Right Posterior Descending , and acute marginal artery. Together with the LAD, the right coronary artery helps supply blood to the lining of the heart.
The coronary arteries have several smaller branches, namely the obtuse marginal (OM), the septal perforator (SP), and the diagonals.
Why are coronary arteries important?
The coronary arteries provide blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disorders or diseases can cause serious health problems. Coronary artery damage can increase the risk of heart attack and death due to loss or reduction in the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease is a condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This buildup can occur slowly and gradually over a long period of time, even years. This condition is often referred to as atherosclerosis.
This buildup of plaque can harden and risk breaking. A ruptured coronary artery can trigger blood clots and can also block blood flow. This condition can increase the risk of angina or heart attack. Other risks that can be caused are arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems) and heart failure.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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