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What are Coronary Occlusions?

Shannon Kietzman
Shannon Kietzman

Coronary occlusions are closures or obstructions of coronary vessels. As a result of the closure or obstruction, a person with an occlusion has insufficient blood flow that can ultimately lead to a myocardial infarction. A myocardial infarction, more commonly called a heart attack, is potentially fatal.

Coronary occlusions are usually the result of thrombosis or atheroma. A thrombosis is a clot within the blood vessel that is generally caused by an abnormality in the vessel wall, the blood composition, or the way the blood flows. These occlusions are often the result of trauma or infection of the vessel wall, which causes the blood flow to slow down or stop near the area that was injured. On occasion, the condition is also caused by problems with coagulation of the blood.

The anatomy of a heart attack, caused by an occlusion in the left coronary artery.
The anatomy of a heart attack, caused by an occlusion in the left coronary artery.

An atheroma, on the other hand, is an inflammation of the white blood cells as they are located in the artery walls. It typically develops between the arterial tube’s smooth muscle wall and endothelium lining and is often referred to as plaque. These occlusions usually begin developing during a person’s childhood, typically before the age of ten. From here, the disorder becomes progressively worse, though the veins are never affected. If a vein is removed surgically and used to replace an artery, however, it can also develop an atheroma.

Coronary occlusions cause impaired heart circulation.
Coronary occlusions cause impaired heart circulation.

Regardless of the type of coronary occlusions a person has, the result is impaired coronary circulation. In the process of coronary circulation, the blood vessels move blood to and from the heart. The vessels affected by this condition are the coronary blood vessels, which are responsible for carrying oxygen to the myocardium tissue of the heart. When the process is disturbed, the heart receives insufficient oxygen. This causes the heart tissue to die, which can lead to death if not treated in time. In fact, heart attacks are the leading cause of death in men and women in every part of the world.

A thrombosis is a clot within the blood vessel that is generally caused by an abnormality in the vessel wall.
A thrombosis is a clot within the blood vessel that is generally caused by an abnormality in the vessel wall.

Fortunately, coronary occlusions can often be prevented through proper lifestyle choices. Remaining slender, particularly in the abdominal area, getting regular aerobic exercise, and making healthy food choices are all good strategies for preventing this condition.

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    • The anatomy of a heart attack, caused by an occlusion in the left coronary artery.
      By: Alila
      The anatomy of a heart attack, caused by an occlusion in the left coronary artery.
    • Coronary occlusions cause impaired heart circulation.
      By: 9nong
      Coronary occlusions cause impaired heart circulation.
    • A thrombosis is a clot within the blood vessel that is generally caused by an abnormality in the vessel wall.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      A thrombosis is a clot within the blood vessel that is generally caused by an abnormality in the vessel wall.
    • When the coronary circulation process is disturbed, the heart receives insufficient oxygen, causing tissues to die.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      When the coronary circulation process is disturbed, the heart receives insufficient oxygen, causing tissues to die.
    • Regular aerobic exercise is important to preventing coronary occlusions.
      By: Warren Goldswain
      Regular aerobic exercise is important to preventing coronary occlusions.
    • Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in men and women.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in men and women.
    • Coronary occlusion-causing atheroma is often referred to as plaque.
      By: decade3d
      Coronary occlusion-causing atheroma is often referred to as plaque.