The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood to function properly. If the coronary arteries become partially or completely blocked by arteriosclerosis, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen. This is called coronary disease.
Forms of Coronary Artery Disease
The coronary arteries branch off from the aorta, the body’s main artery. You have both a right and a left coronary artery. Each coronary artery has smaller branches that extend deep into the heart muscle to supply it with sufficient oxygen-rich blood.
To assess the severity of coronary artery disease, the different branches of the coronary arteries are examined (e.g., the main stem, right, and left coronary artery). Depending on the number of affected branches, we refer to single-vessel disease, double-vessel disease or triple-vessel disease.
Evolution of Arteriosclerosis in the Coronary Arteries (© smart.servier.com)
Depending on the symptoms and the oxygen deficiency experienced by the heart muscle, we distinguish two forms of coronary artery disease: angina (angina pectoris) and a heart attack.
Angor or Angina Pectoris
As a result of temporary oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle, you may experience a painful, pressing, or constricting sensation in the chest. This is medically referred to as angor or angina pectoris.
Initially, the symptoms will only be triggered when the heart is under more strain, such as during emotional stress or physical exertion. These symptoms are temporary and subside after a few minutes. This is known as stable angina.
In the case of unstable angina, the symptoms occur without any immediate cause and last longer. This form of coronary artery disease is often a warning sign of a heart attack.
In rare cases, angina can be triggered by a spasm or cramp of the coronary artery. This so-called vasospastic angina is usually short-lived and can be treated with medication.
Heart attack
If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, a prolonged lack of oxygen (ischemia) occurs in the heart. The part of the heart muscle that no longer receives blood dies. In medical terms, this is called a heart attack. As a result, you will experience prolonged (at least 10 to 20 minutes) angina symptoms at rest.
A heart attack can sometimes occur without any noticeable symptoms. This is called silent ischemia or a silent heart attack.
If you suspect an acute heart attack, immediately call your doctor or emergency services at the number 112.