Coronary Artery Causes & Effects
   

Causes of Coronary Artery Disease:-

   

Plaque, which is made up of excess cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in  blood, builds up on the damaged inner walls of the coronary arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." Coronary Artery Disease typically occurs when the inside walls of the coronary arteries are damaged because of another health problem, such as:

   

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High Cholesterol: Coronary Artery Disease can occur if levels of cholesterol in the blood are higher than the healthy levels. This usually is when there are high levels of Low density cholesterol or bad cholesterol instead of High Density Cholesterol or good cholesterol. Low density cholesterol can cause Coronary Artery Disease since it can build up inside the arteries and thus restricting blood flow.

   
 

   
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Hereditary: Coronary Artery Disease can occur if “it is in the family” which typically means that it is hereditary and can be passed down from generation to generation.

   
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High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure increases the risk of Coronary Artery Disease by damaging the lining of the arteries and increasing the likelihood of fatty deposits forming in the arteries.

   
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Diabetes: Diabetes causes the arteries to harden which increases the risk of Coronary Artery Disease.

   
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Smoking: Smoking causes the platelets in blood to clump together easily by making blood cells more "sticky" and more likely to form clots. Clumping platelets can then block the coronary arteries. Additionally, smoking can cause spasms in the coronary arteries, which can reduce the blood flow to the heart. Cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins can easily enter the walls of the arteries, where they can develop into plaque.

   
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Obesity: Obesity is generally the result of a unhealthy diet and lack of exercise which can cause unhealthy fat build up in the coronary arteries and thus resulting in Coronary Artery Disease.

   
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Lack of Regular Exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and blood pressure, and all these can cause Coronary Artery Disease.

   
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Emotional Stress: Stress can lead to several unhealthy habits and can have severe effects on one’s health. Thus, stress is a cause of Coronary Artery Disease.

   

Effects of Coronary Artery Disease:-

   

The effects of coronary artery disease are severe and can be fatal. The following are some effects of coronary artery disease:

   
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Heart Attack: One of the most common effects of coronary artery disease is heart attack. Heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of the artery is completely blocked. This prevents oxygenated blood from reaching that area of the muscle and causes it to die. Without immediate treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious problems and even death.

   
 

   
 

   
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Heart Failure: Coronary Artery Disease can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure. Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body.

   
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Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias is also caused due to weakened heart muscle. Arrhythmias are problems with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat.