Understanding the arteries of the heart and causes of angina
The heart is mainly made of special muscle. The heart pumps blood into arteries (blood vessels) which take the blood to every part of the body. Like any other muscle, the heart muscle needs a good blood supply. The coronary arteries take blood to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries are the first arteries to branch off the aorta. The aorta is the large artery that takes blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the body.
What causes angina?
If you have angina, one or more of your coronary arteries is usually narrowed. This causes a reduced blood supply to a part or parts of your heart muscle. The blood supply may be enough when you are resting. However, your heart muscle needs more blood and oxygen when it works harder. For example, when you walk fast or climb stairs, your heart rate increases to deliver the extra blood. If the extra blood that your heart needs during exertion cannot get past the narrowed coronary arteries, the heart 'complains' with pain.
The narrowing of the arteries is caused by atheroma. Atheroma is like fatty patches or 'plaques' that develop within the inside lining of arteries. (This is similar to water pipes that get 'furred up' with scale.) Plaques of atheroma may gradually form over a number of years in one or more places in the coronary arteries. In time, these can become bigger and cause enough narrowing of one or more of the arteries to cause symptoms. (The diagram shows three narrowed sections as an example. However, atheroma can develop in any section of the coronary arteries.)
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Where to next?
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Some other points about angina
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Understanding the arteries of the heart and causes of angina
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What are the aims of treatment if you have angina?
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What are the symptoms of angina?
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patsy, about 1 year
I'm presently being treated for angina symptoms although i've had a angiogram which show my arteries are normal.I see a specialist every 6mths and take different medication each day. 2yrs ago i had a heart attack at the age of 41. I have never been a smoker or drinker and am confused as to why i suffer with this condition. I've just come out of hospital after doubling over with severe chest pain.I stayed in hospital over night and had all the usual tests but was told i had a severe angina attack. My specialist has told me that its a case of bad luck and something i have to live with. Each time i have the pain it is so frightening and this time it was worse than i've had for a long time. I use a gtn spray but the other night the pain just got worse and the spray didn't work. I have also just been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and was wondering if this will have an affect.
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