What is coronary artery atherosclerosis?
Coronary artery atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of plaques—composed of cholesterol, fats, and other substances—in the inner lining of the coronary arteries, causing the arteries to become narrowed, stiffened, and less elastic. This ultimately leads to coronary artery stenosis or occlusion, triggering conditions such as myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. The details are as follows:
The coronary arteries are the main blood vessels supplying the heart, and coronary atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of heart disease. Typically, coronary atherosclerosis develops gradually over time. Long-term unhealthy lifestyle habits, along with risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and smoking, contribute to the formation and accumulation of plaques in the arterial walls, eventually leading to coronary narrowing and ischemic heart disease.
The key to preventing coronary artery atherosclerosis lies in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy body weight, and undergoing routine medical checkups. Early detection and treatment of underlying conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, as well as regular monitoring of cardiac health, can help identify and manage coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases at an early stage, thereby protecting heart health.