Introduction
Coronary circulation is circulation in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscles (myocardium). Coronary arteries are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the muscles of the heart. Cardiac veins are responsible for draining away the blood after it has been deoxygenated; the rest of the body, especially the brain, needs a gradual supply of oxygenated blood. Therefore this circulation is of major importance not only for the tissues of the heart but to the entire body and even for the consciousness of the brain. If there are any interruptions in the coronary circulation, it will quickly cause heart attacks (myocardial infarctions). In this condition, the heart muscle is damaged by oxygen insufficiency. Such disturbances are usually caused by coronary ischemia, which is associated with coronary artery disease, and embolism.
What Is Coronary Anatomy?
Cardiac veins and cardiac arteries are of main importance in coronary circulation.
Cardiac Veins: These are the vessels that take out the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscles. The major veins which are involved are:
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The great cardiac vein.
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The middle cardiac vein.
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The small cardiac vein.
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The smallest cardiac veins.
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The anterior cardiac veins.
Cardiac Arteries: These are the vessels that are responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the heart. These arteries have the capability to autoregulate themselves to maintain coronary blood flow.
What Is the Importance of Coronary Arteries?
The main role of the coronary artery is to carry blood to the heart muscles. Therefore, any disorder or disease related to these arteries can lead to serious involvement by decreasing the oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles. Atherosclerosis is one condition in which there is an accumulation of plaque in the inner lining of the artery, leading to its blockage and possibly leading to death.
What Is the Function of Coronary Circulation?
Supply to Papillary Muscles: The papillary muscles attach the mitral and tricuspid valves to the heart wall. If these muscles do not work properly, it will lead to leakage of the mitral valve during left ventricular contraction. This leakage is known as mitral regurgitation. Similarly, any leakage in the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve is described as tricuspid insufficiency.
Diastolic Changes: When the ventricular myocardium contracts, there is compression of subendocardial coronary vessels because of high ventricular pressures. This compression leads to momentary retrograde blood flow, which leads to inhibition of heart perfusion during systole. As a result, epicardial coronary vessels remain open during this stage.
What Are the Defects Related to Coronary Circulation?
Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of one coronary artery, usually due to plaque accumulation. Plaque leads to limitations of blood that have to reach the heart.
What Are the Different Forms of Coronary Heart Disease?
There are two different forms of coronary heart disease:
Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Coronary arteries gradually start narrowing over many years. Over some time, the heart starts receiving low oxygen-rich blood. One may feel some symptoms but cannot live with the condition further.
Acute Coronary Syndrome: This is a medical emergency where the plaque in the coronary artery suddenly breaks down, forming a blood clot that flows to the heart. This sudden blockage causes a heart stroke.
What Is the Treatment for Coronary Heart Disease?
Treatment for coronary heart disease is a must to manage the symptoms and hence reduce the risk of problems that can occur further. The combination of changes in one's lifestyle, medication, and, in some advanced cases, surgery is the option. With the right care, this condition's signs and symptoms can be managed, which enhances the heart's efficient operation. Making one's lifestyle uncomplicated after receiving a diagnosis of the illness can reduce the likelihood of experiencing additional episodes. The chance of experiencing additional attacks in the future can be quickly reduced by quitting smoking following a heart attack. The chance of developing these types of heart disease can be reduced in the future by eating healthier and exercising frequently.
Medications: Blood thinning medicines which include: Clopidogrel, Rivaroxaban, Low-dose Aspirin, and Prasugrel.
Beta-Blockers: By blocking the effects of a specific hormone in one's body, slowing the heartbeat and hence improving blood flow.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme: In the case of high blood pressure patients, these inhibitors are given as they block the hormone activity called angiotensin2, which is responsible for the narrowing of blood vessels. It also helps stop the heart from working hard. Further, it improves blood flow around the body.
Calcium Channel Blockers: These also work by relaxing the muscles that make the artery walls, reducing blood pressure. Verapamil and Amlodipine are examples of such calcium channel blockers.
Diuretics: Diuretics are also called water pills. These work by flushing excess water and salt into the urine.
Surgeries: It includes various procedures, namely coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft, and heart transplant.
Recovery From Coronary Heart Disease: Some cardiac rehabilitation programs are made after any treatment. It involves exercise, education, relaxation, and emotional support. Once a patient completes a rehabilitation program, it is necessary to do daily exercise, and one should live a healthy lifestyle. In addition, it helps to protect one's heart and overcomes the risk of future heart-associated problems.
Self-care: It is an important part of life, just taking responsibility for one's well-being with the help of those who are always involved. For example, people with long-term diseases can be benefited emotionally; self-care involves the actions one should take everyday to stay fit and healthy.
Conclusion
The specific responsibility of the heart is to grant its blood through coronary circulation. This type of circulation maintains relatively constant blood flow over a wide area of perfusion pressure. Therefore, the research into the mechanism related to circulation provides effective diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives for treating diseases related to the heart.
