# Coronary heart disease

A disease where the heart's own blood vessels get clogged with fatty deposits, so the heart muscle gets too little oxygen.

Biology (school) · Part 03: The human body · Card 7 of 11 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

A blocked pipe starving a pump of fuel.

## In practice

Doctors may fit a stent, a small mesh tube, to hold a blocked vessel open.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **What happens in coronary heart disease?** Fatty deposits block the heart's own blood vessels.

## Questions people ask

### What causes coronary heart disease?

A build-up of fatty material in the coronary arteries narrows them. Risk factors include a diet high in saturated fat, smoking, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and family history. Less blood reaches the heart muscle, which can cause chest pain or a heart attack.

### How is coronary heart disease treated?

Stents are small metal tubes that hold arteries open. Statins are drugs that lower cholesterol in the blood. A bypass operation uses a healthy vessel to go around a blocked one. Doctors also advise lifestyle changes such as eating better, exercising and not smoking.

## Related concepts

- [Double circulation](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-3/biology-school-part-3-concept-5)
- [Blood](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-3/biology-school-part-3-concept-6)

Web page: https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-3/biology-school-part-3-concept-7
Study this card in the app: https://studyvisually.com/app/learn?category=biology-school&card=biology-school-part-3-concept-7