A-level Biology Notes

Coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction?

-high blood pressure damages the lining of coronary artery

-Fatty deposits/ cholesterol builds up beneath the lining, in the wall =atheroma 

- the atheroma breaks through the lining forming an atheromatous plague on the lining, in the lumen

- this causes turbulent blood flow

- A blood clot [thrombus] forms

- this blocks the coronary artery

- therefore less blood flow to the heart muscle

- less glucose and oxygen delivered

- the heart muscle cannot respire

- so it dies (myocardial infarction)