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Getting Blood to the Heart

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In order for the heart to function as a pump, it needs a good blood supply.
The heart muscle itself receives blood from the coronary arteries.

Glossary entries within this article:

Artery
- A vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It generally carries blood which is rich in oxygen. The exception in mammals is the pulmonary artery which takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Blood pressure
- Pressure which is exerted by the heart when it pumps blood.
CAD (coronary artery disease)
- Condition in which deposits of fat or plaques build up in the cells lining the wall of a coronary artery, thus obstructing the flow of blood.
Collateral circulation
- Network of small arteries which are normally closed. If the coronary artery is blocked, they may open up in order to take blood to the heart.
Coronary angiogram
- A test to indicate where the arteries are constricted and how narrow they have become.
Coronary
- Relating to the heart or one of the two arteries which originate in the aorta and supply blood directly to the heart tissue.
Congestive Heart Failure
- Condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the requirements of the other organs in the body.
Ischemic heart disease
- Disorder caused by insufficient blood supply due to a constriction of coronary arteries.

In the glossary you will find terms that we have provided with some extra-information.

Glossary