Let's learn about the lifeblood of your heart - the coronary arteries.

Have you ever wondered how your heart works continuously, without any rest? Just like a car needs gasoline, our heart also needs a constant supply of blood full of nutrients and oxygen to work. There is a special system of blood vessels that brings that precious blood to the heart. We call these the coronary arteries, or in English, the coronary arteries . Perhaps you have heard this name when talking about a heart attack. So, today we will talk simply and kindly about this blood vessel system, which is so important to our lives.

Simply put, what are these coronary arteries?

Imagine that the heart, which pumps blood throughout our body, is like the main power plant of our country. But that power plant also needs a separate power supply to operate. Similarly, the muscles of the heart, which pumps blood throughout the body, also need a separate blood supply to operate. This essential function is performed by the coronary arteries.

These are the main blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. They branch off from the aorta, the largest blood vessel in our body. They branch off from the surface of the heart and into smaller branches that go into the heart muscle. Just like a tree starts at the root and branches out.

We have two main coronary arteries:

1. Right Coronary Artery (RCA): This mainly supplies blood to the right side of the heart, that is, the right atrium and right ventricle. This is where the body's oxygen-poor blood collects before being sent to the lungs. More importantly, this artery also supplies blood to the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node, two automatic electrical centers that control the heart's rhythm. Simply put, these two nodes act like the heart's 'pacemaker', signaling when the heart should beat.

2. Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA): This supplies blood to the left side of the heart, that is, the left atrium and left ventricle. This is the main part that pumps clean, oxygenated blood from the lungs to the entire body. Therefore, it is very important that this part receives a good blood supply.

Are these blood vessels arranged the same way in everyone?

Here's the amazing thing. Not everyone's coronary arteries are arranged in the same way. Just like our fingerprints, this can vary slightly from person to person.

• These arteries are usually located within a layer of fat around the heart, but in some people, they are located within the heart muscle itself.
• In some people (about one in ten people), the SA and AV nodes, which control the heartbeat, receive blood from the left coronary artery (LMCA), not the right coronary artery (RCA).
• Very rarely, some people have only one coronary artery that starts from the aorta, and then divides into right and left branches.

What are the main problems that can occur with coronary arteries?

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a condition we often hear about. This is the most common and serious condition affecting these arteries.

How does coronary artery disease (CAD) develop?

The main cause of this is atherosclerosis . This is when a type of fatty film called 'plaque' builds up in our blood vessels, just as dirt and rust build up in a water pipe over time. This fatty film is mainly made up of cholesterol and other substances.

Over time, these fatty deposits grow larger and reduce the space inside the blood vessel, which means they block the passage of blood.

• When the blood flow becomes narrow: When you are tired or exercise, the heart does not get enough blood. This can cause chest pain (angina) .
• If the blood vessel becomes completely blocked: Sometimes this fatty layer can burst, a blood clot forms in that area, and the blood vessel can become completely blocked. Then, blood stops flowing to that part of the heart. When the oxygen is cut off, the muscles in that part start to die. That's what we call a 'heart attack' .

There are several other less common conditions:

• Aneurysm: A weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, causing it to bulge like a balloon.
• Coronary artery spasms: A sudden, severe contraction of the muscles in the walls of the arteries, causing obstruction to blood flow.
• Congenital anomalies (Anomalous coronary arteries): The presence of some abnormalities in the position of the arteries at birth.

Warning signs - watch out for these!

If there is a problem with the coronary arteries, the main symptom is chest pain (angina) . However, for some people, the first time they find out they have coronary artery disease is after they have a heart attack. So it is very important to be aware of these symptoms.

Pay special attention to the following characteristics.

How do you keep these precious blood vessels healthy?

The best thing is to prevent the disease before it occurs. Simple changes in our lifestyle can keep these precious coronary arteries healthy.

• Heart-healthy diet: Reduce salt, oil, and sugar intake. Limit foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol (fatty meats, fried foods, fast foods). Instead, include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, small fish, and whole grains in your diet.
• Regular exercise: at least 30 minutes a dayEngage in exercise such as brisk walking, running, or cycling. This will help you control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
• Controlling blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, take your medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Check your blood pressure regularly.
• Avoid smoking completely: If you smoke, stop immediately . It is the biggest damage to your heart and blood vessels. Also, being around people who smoke (passive smoking) is harmful.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible or stop it completely.
• Stress management: Try to keep your mind relaxed through things like yoga and meditation.

If you have risk factors for the health of your coronary arteries (e.g., family history of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol), talk to your doctor about it and get the necessary advice and treatment.