The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle itself.
Blood supply through these arteries is critical for the
heart.Coronary artery disease usually results from the build-up of
fatty material and plaque, a condition called atherosclerosis. As
the coronary arteries narrow, the flow of blood to the heart can
slow or stop, causing chest pain (stable angina), shortness of
breath, heart attack, or other symptoms.
Review Date: 05/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
