Coronary Heart Disease: When Things Go Wrong
Coronary heart disease happens when fatty deposits called plaques build up inside the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood. Think of it like limescale building up in water pipes - eventually, the flow gets seriously restricted.
The process starts with cholesterol deposits forming on artery walls. Over time, these plaques can crack, causing blood clots to form. As arteries narrow further, less oxygen reaches the heart muscle, and parts of it can actually die.
Several risk factors increase your chances of developing this condition: poor diet high in saturated fats, lack of exercise, smoking, stress, genetics, and simply being male. Doctors use a procedure called an angiogram to check if your coronary arteries are blocked.
Prevention Tip: Regular exercise and a balanced diet significantly reduce your risk of coronary heart disease - your future self will thank you!