What can result from coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) primarily affects the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. When these arteries become narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis, the heart may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This insufficient blood flow can lead to various complications, one of which is the weakening of the heart muscle.

This weakening can result from chronic ischemia (lack of blood flow), where the heart tissue does not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, causing it to become less efficient and potentially leading to heart failure over time. The weakening of the heart muscle is a significant concern in patients with CAD, as it can progressively impair the heart’s ability to pump effectively, resulting in a range of symptoms and complications.

While other options like thickening of ventricular walls and infarction of heart muscle are also associated with coronary artery disease, they do not encompass the broader impact on heart muscle functionality in the same way. Stenosis of cardiac valves, on the other hand, is typically a separate condition not directly caused by coronary artery disease.