About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Coronary Arteries Anatomy
Introduction
The coronary arteries are a crucial component of the cardiovascular system. They supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle (myocardium), ensuring its proper function. Understanding their anatomy is essential for diagnosing and treating heart diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD).
Main Coronary Arteries
The coronary arteries originate from the aorta, just above the aortic valve, and are divided into two main branches:
1. Left Coronary Artery (LCA)
- Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA): This artery quickly branches into:
- Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD): Supplies blood to the front and left side of the heart, including a major portion of the left ventricle.
- Left Circumflex artery (LCx): Circles around the heart, providing blood to the lateral and posterior aspects of the left ventricle.
2. Right Coronary Artery (RCA)
- Supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and parts of the conduction system, including the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes.
- Gives rise to the Posterior Descending Artery (PDA) in most individuals (right-dominant circulation), which supplies the posterior portion of the heart.
Variations in Coronary Circulation
- Right-Dominant Circulation (85% of people): The PDA arises from the RCA.
- Left-Dominant Circulation (10% of people): The PDA arises from the LCx.
- Co-Dominant Circulation (5% of people): The PDA receives blood from both the RCA and LCx.
Clinical Importance
- Blockages in coronary arteries can lead to angina, heart attacks (myocardial infarction), and heart failure.
- Coronary angiography is a diagnostic tool used to assess blockages.
- Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Conclusion
The coronary arteries play a vital role in keeping the heart functioning. Understanding their anatomy helps in early diagnosis and effective management of heart diseases.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Myocardial Revascularization
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/ESC-EACTS-Guidelines-in-Myocardial-Revascularisation-Guidelines-for
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/2/87/5079120
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30165437/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/35/37/2541/581070
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25173339/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.