Right Coronary Artery - Parts, Importance, and Diseases

Introduction

The heart is divided into four main divisions. The upper division has two parts, called the right and left atrium. The lower division also has two parts, called the right and left ventricles. Atrioventricular conduction is the average electrical impulse conduction between the atrium and the ventricles. The AV node, or the atrioventricular node, is a tiny structure located in the heart. The chief function of this atrioventricular node is to control the flow of the heart’s electrical signals transmitted from the atrium to the ventricles.

The right coronary artery has two branches- the right marginal artery and the posterior descending artery. The right coronary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the right atrium, the right ventricle along with the rear part of the septum. The septum refers to the thin barrier or wall that divides the upper chambers of the heart. The right division of the heart supplies blood that goes into the lungs. The right coronary artery additionally supplies the lower portion of the ventricles.

What Are the Different Types of Coronary Arteries?

The coronary arteries are of two types- a right coronary artery and a left coronary artery. Mentioned below are the differences between the two coronary arteries.

• LCA, or the left coronary artery, supplies nutrients and blood to the left atrium and the left ventricle. In short, the left coronary artery is responsible for the blood supply of the left side of the heart and related structures. In addition to this, the left coronary artery supplies blood to the back of the heart in addition to the sides of the heart.

• The right coronary artery supplies blood to several parts of the right side of the heart as well as the middle of the heart.

What Are the Parts of a Right Coronary Artery?

The right aortic sinus is located above the aortic valve, and this is the beginning of the formation of the right coronary artery. After giving out branches, the right coronary artery is divided into a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment.

What Are the Functions of the Right Coronary Artery?

The right coronary artery is responsible for supplying a sufficient amount of oxygen-rich blood to the following mentioned below.

• Right atrium.

• Right ventricle.

• Posterior third of interventricular septum.

• Inferior end of interventricular septum.

• The lower portion of the left ventricle.

Why Is the Right Coronary Artery Important?

The right coronary artery has the chief function of supplying the muscles of the heart with oxygen-rich or oxygenated blood. Therefore, any disorder or disease that involves the right coronary artery can pose severe threats to the cardiovascular system.

• The disease of the right coronary artery may lead to a drastic reduction in the flow of nutrients as well as oxygen-rich blood in the various parts of the heart.

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• Heart attack is one of the common complications of a diseased right coronary artery.

• An accumulation of plaque in the inner walls of the right coronary artery may lead to the narrowing of the artery. This is a very common cardiovascular disease diagnosed in obese patients. It is referred to as atherosclerosis.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Right Coronary Artery Disease?

Below are a few of the clinical signs and symptoms of right coronary artery disease.

• Blurred vision.

• Weakness.

• Tingling sensation in the body.

• Sudden loss of vision.

• Dizziness.

• Confusion.

• Difficulty in speech.

• Severe attacks of headache.

• Dementia.

• Difficulty in swallowing.

• Numbness.

• Weakness of the limbs.

• Weakness of facial muscles.

• Difficulty in understanding speech.

• Loss of balance.

• Drooping one side of the face.

• The trouble with information in sentences.

• Paralysis of one side of the body.

• Bruit or whistling sound of the heart.

• Garbled speech.

• Palpitations.

• Slight pain in the neck or face.

• Tenderness in the ear, jaw, or forehead.

• Losing muscle strength over time.

What Are the Causes of Right Coronary Artery Disease?

Factors that lead to the development of correct coronary artery diseases are as follows.

• Hypertension or high blood pressure may lead to the weakening of the walls of the cardiac blood vessels, such as the arteries. Due to this, the arteries get prone to damage.

• Tobacco products, as well as those products that are high in nicotine.

• A habit of smoking.

• Artherosclerosis.

• Diabetes Mellitus.

• Lipoprotein cholesterol is low in density.

• Triglycerides.

• A family history of cardiovascular diseases.

• Old age.

• Loss of collagen.

• Increased body mass index.

• Obese lifestyle.

• No physical activity.

• Obstructive sleep apnea.

• A lifestyle that has no physical activeness.

How to Diagnose Right Coronary Artery Disease?

In most cases, a disease of the right coronary artery is easily diagnosed when and if the patient undergoes an episode of stroke. In case the patient shows a few of the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease, CAD or coronary artery condition may get diagnosed. Post the episodes of a heart attack, ECG readings are vital and can positively suggest the involvement of the right coronary artery. It should be noted that the gold standard to diagnose right coronary artery disease is an invasive coronary angiography.

Mentioned below are some of the diagnostic measures that are done in order to diagnose CAD or right coronary artery disorder.

• Myocardial perfusion imaging with positron emission tomography.

• Computed tomography coronary angiography.

• Cerebral angiography.

• Magnetic resonance coronary angiography.

• Single-photon emission computerized tomography.

• Infrared thermography.

• Digital subtraction angiography.

How to Treat Right Coronary Artery Disease?

The aim of the treatment of any disease related to the right coronary artery is to halt the growth of the disease. Therefore, a lifestyle modification that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet is necessary. Surgical intervention has proven to be one of the most successful treatment plans for the correction of disease related to the right coronary artery.

Conclusion

The right coronary artery is crucial for the standard functioning of the heart since this artery supplies oxygen-rich blood to several important parts and structures of the heart. Unfortunately, plaque build-up due to unhealthy habits is a common condition amongst the general population. The critical factors for keeping the right coronary artery free from plaque deposits are following a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity.