The coronary arteries play a critical role in maintaining a healthy heart by supplying oxygen-rich blood to its muscles. However, when these arteries become diseased, it can have serious consequences.
The symptoms and complications of coronary artery disease (CAD) vary depending on the extent and location of the disease within the heart arteries.
The heart primarily has two main arteries, the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery. The left coronary artery further branches into the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery, ensuring adequate blood flow to the entire heart. The specific artery affected determines the symptoms experienced, including chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or asymptomatic cases.
Tailoring the best treatment strategy, whether through lifestyle changes, medications, stents, or bypass surgery, is crucial and based on a personalized assessment of the affected coronary artery/arteries. This emphasizes the importance of individualized care and management in addressing CAD.