As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain the causes of ischemic heart disease. Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, occurs when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked. This narrowing is often due to the buildup of plaque, which is a substance made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood. When the plaque hardens, it can significantly reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This reduced blood flow can lead to angina, which is characterized by chest pain or discomfort. The condition becomes more serious if the plaque ruptures. When this happens, blood cell fragments known as platelets can stick to the site of the injury. These platelets may then clump together to form a blood clot, which can completely block the artery and lead to a heart attack. So, the primary cause of ischemic heart disease is the narrowing of the coronary arteries by hardened plaque, which restricts blood flow and potentially leads to the formation of blood clots. read more >>

Hardened plaque narrows the coronary arteries and reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This can cause angina (chest pain or discomfort). If the plaque ruptures, blood cell fragments called platelets (PLATE-lets) stick to the site of the injury. They may clump together to form blood clots.read more >>