Coronary Artery Disease Continuum

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The pumping ability of the heart is compromised by a continuum between coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction. This paradox deprives the heart of blood-borne oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the earliest of the continuum and consists of any disorder that narrows or blocks the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of CAD, which diminishes the myocardial blood supply until the blood flow to the heart is limited causing the starvation of cells or ischemia. (McCance 1160). Persistent ischemia or blockage of a coronary artery causes acute coronary syndrome, including a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) play a key role in the pathogenesis

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