The heart requires a continuous supply of oxygen to function and survive, much like any other tissue or organ of the body.

The arteries can additionally be categorized based on the area of the heart for which they provide circulation.

[2] Reduced function of the coronary arteries can lead to decreased flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart.

Therefore, any disorder or disease of the coronary arteries can have a serious impact on health, possibly leading to angina, a heart attack, and even death.

This occurs when plaques (made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances) build up over time in the walls of the arteries.

[8] As the disease progresses, plaque buildup can partially block blood flow to the heart muscle.

Without enough blood supply (ischemia), the heart is unable to work properly, especially under increased stress.

[9] A heart attack results from a sudden plaque rupture and formation of a thrombus (blood clot) that completely blocks blood flow to a portion of the heart, leading to tissue death (infarct).

[10] Unlike CAD, spontaneous coronary artery dissection is not due to plaque buildup in arteries, and tends to occur in younger individuals, including women who have recently given birth or men who do intense exercise.