What is the usual cause of coronary ischemia?

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Multiple Choice

What is the usual cause of coronary ischemia?

Coronary ischemia is most often caused by atherosclerotic plaque buildup in a coronary artery wall. This plaque narrows the vessel lumen, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, especially during times of increased demand. Plaques can also rupture, exposing pro-thrombotic material that triggers platelet clumping and thrombosis, which can sharply cut or block blood flow and provoke ischemia or a heart attack. Other possibilities like viral infections, autoimmune inflammation, or genetic red blood cell defects can cause vascular problems or tissue hypoxia in some contexts, but they are not the usual mechanism behind coronary ischemia.

Coronary ischemia is most often caused by atherosclerotic plaque buildup in a coronary artery wall. This plaque narrows the vessel lumen, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, especially during times of increased demand. Plaques can also rupture, exposing pro-thrombotic material that triggers platelet clumping and thrombosis, which can sharply cut or block blood flow and provoke ischemia or a heart attack. Other possibilities like viral infections, autoimmune inflammation, or genetic red blood cell defects can cause vascular problems or tissue hypoxia in some contexts, but they are not the usual mechanism behind coronary ischemia.

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