Practical heart failure information for patients, families, and caregivers
Skip navigation links
UNDERSTANDING HEART FAILURE
TOPICS
Introduction
What is heart failure?
How does the normal heart work?
What goes wrong in heart failure?
What are the different types of heart failure?
Symptoms of heart failure
What causes heart failure?
Common tests for heart failure
How can heart failure change over time?
Myths and facts about heart failure
Test your knowledge
Multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT)
Myths and facts about heart failure
Taking your own blood pressure and heart rate (pulse)

Coronary artery disease 

Bookmark and Share
 

If your heart failure is caused by coronary heart disease, one or more of your coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle) has become narrow due to the build up of a cholesterol containing mass (plaque) inside the artery wall.

This narrowing of your artery reduces the amount of oxygen and nourishment that are able to reach your heart muscle, causing angina (chest pain) oftern during exercise. This lack of oxygen and nutrients makes the muscle work harder in order to pump blood around your body.

Coronary artery disease can be delayed or even prevented by lifestyle and medical approaches. If you have this condition you should discuss with your doctor any changes you could make to your lifestyle and how your doctor can help you to prevent any further damage, slow the build up of plaque in the arteries, and prevent progression of your heart failure.

Return to What causes heart failure?

 

 

 
Copyright 2007© Heart Failure Matters. All rights reserved.