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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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MessySUBS.LHA
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Coronary_artery_disease
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-02
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26 lines
Latin corona `crown', from the arteries'
encircling of the heart condition in which
the fatty deposits of atherosclerosis form in
the coronary arteries that supply the heart
muscle, making them too narrow. These
arteries may already be hardened
(arteriosclerosis). If the heart's oxygen
requirements are increased, as during
exercise, the blood supply through the
narrowed arteries may be inadequate, and the
pain of angina results. A heart attack occurs
if the blood supply to an area of the heart
is cut off, for example because a blood clot
(thrombus) has blocked one of the coronary
arteries. The subsequent lack of oxygen
damages the heart muscle (infarct), and if a
large area of the heart is affected, the
attack may be fatal. Coronary artery disease
tends to run in families and is linked to
smoking, lack of exercise, and a diet high in
saturated (mostly animal) fats, which tends
to increase the level of blood cholesterol.
It is a common cause of death in many
industrialized countries; older men are the
most vulnerable group.