Knowledge Center:

Coronary Disease

What Is A Coronary Artery?
One of the vessels that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Normally, blood flows freely through the coronary arteries to supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. However, in people with coronary artery disease, there is a gradual build up of fats and other materials in the coronary arteries. This makes the arteries narrow. Due to this narrowing, the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. This is especially true during times when the heart needs more oxygen and nutrients, such as exercise or stress.

Coronary artery disease (also known as "atherosclerosis" or "arteriosclerosis" or "hardening" of the coronary arteries) is usually a progressive disease and may develop over several years.