What happens to the coronary artery if it is blocked?

When one or more of the coronary arteries suddenly becomes completely blocked, a heart attack (injury to the heart muscle) may occur. If the blockage occurs more slowly, the heart muscle may develop small collateral blood vessels (or detours) for other coronary arteries to reroute the blood flow, and angina occurs.

What is a coronary thrombosis and how can it lead to a heart attack?

Coronary thrombosis is defined as the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel of the heart. This blood clot may then restrict blood flow within the heart, leading to heart tissue damage, or a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.

What is coronary artery occlusion?

The heart is a muscle, and — like any other muscle — it needs oxygen-rich blood. Chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) occurs when a buildup of plaque blocks the coronary artery for more than 90 days, starving your heart of oxygen. Left untreated, CTO can cause chest pain, unusual fatigue, and lifestyle restrictions.

What causes arterial thrombosis?

Most cases of arterial thrombosis are caused when an artery is damaged by atherosclerosis. Fatty deposits build up on the walls of the arteries and cause them to harden and narrow. The risk factors for a blood clot in an artery include: eating a high-fat diet.

What factors predispose to arterial thrombosis?

Risk factors for arterial thrombosis may include:

• Smoking.
• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Lack of activity and obesity.
• Poor diet.
• Family history of arterial thrombosis.
• Lack of movement, such as after surgery or on a long trip.

How serious is a blocked circumflex artery?

In less than half of people, it may also supply blood to the sinoatrial nodal artery. With anomalous coronary arteries, the circumflex artery or others may be deformed at birth. Such a defect can present a great danger to the child (especially if taking part in aerobic sports) as it can increase risk for heart failure.

What happens when an artery collapse?

Peripheral collapses usually involve abnormally low blood pressure and result in collapsed arteries and/or veins, leading to oxygen deprivation to tissues, organs, and limbs. Acute collapse can result from heart failure causing the primary vessels of the heart to collapse, perhaps combined with cardiac arrest.

What causes stents to collapse?

Immediate stent collapse can be caused by vascular spasm [5] and elastic recoil of the vessel [6].

What are the signs and symptoms of arterial thrombosis?

Arterial thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to an organ….Some symptoms of thrombosis may include:

• pain in one leg.
• a swollen leg or arm.
• chest pain.
• numbness on one side of the body.
• weakness on one side of the body.
• mental changes.