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Text Descriptions of Cardiovascular Condition Pictures

Angina

Illustration of a throbbing chest and a man clutching his heart to indicate angina. Angina is pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen from the blood.
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Atherosclerosis

Illustration of a blood vessel with a cut-away section showing the cross-section. Subsequent illustrations show the progression of atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up on the inner walls of arteries. Plaque is formed from cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances in the blood. In early atherosclerosis, a fatty streak develops on the inner lining of the blood vessel. Over time, the streak develops into plaque. In advanced atherosclerosis, the plaque thickens and the cross section of the inside of the blood vessel (lumen) of the blood vessel narrows. As the condition advances, blood flow is restricted.
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Coronary Artery Disease

Illustration of the heart, showing the coronary arteries. One coronary artery is displayed showing build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the coronary arteries are narrowed by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, making them vulnerable to blockage.
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Heart Attack

Illustration of the heart, showing the coronary arteries and indicating an area of blocked blood flow. A heart attack is a loss of blood flow to an area of the heart due to a blockage in the coronary arteries. Most commonly, the blockage is due to a blood clot in a section of an artery narrowed by plaque. The coronary arteries are very important because they supply blood to the heart muscle fibers. Final illustration shows a throbbing chest and a man clutching his chest. This illustration indicates the narrowed artery and the area of cardiac muscle that is not receiving enough oxygen due to a narrowed coronary artery.
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Heart Failure

Illustration of the inside of a healthy heart and a heart in heart failure, showing blood flow through the chambers. A healthy heart pumps blood effectively through the body. Disease or structural problems can enlarge and weaken the heart, causing it to pump less effectively (heart failure).
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