CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Just like all other muscles in our body, the heart requires a supply of blood to fuel itself. However, rather than gaining nutrients and oxygen from oxygenated blood pumped in and out of its internal chambers, the heart muscle relies on coronary arteries wrapped around its exterior for its blood supply. Over time, components transported by the blood such as cholesterol can stick to the walls of coronary arteries, initiating blockages that can partially or completely block the blood supply to parts of the heart. This process is known as atherosclerosis and can result in angina, which is chest pain caused by an insufficient blood supply to the heart. If the coronary arteries are fully blocked, however, cell death of part of the heart can occur, causing a heart attack. Coronary artery disease can be treated using bypass graft surgery, where arteries are rerouted to supply the regions of the heart cut off by coronary artery blockages.