Coronary stenosis is a medical term that refers to the narrowing of the coronary arteries, which can lead to restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. The word is spelled phonetically as /kɔrənɛri stɛˈnoʊsɪs/, with the stress on the second syllable of each word. The "o" in "coronary" is pronounced as in "hot", while the "e" in "stenosis" is pronounced as in "set". This term is commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Coronary stenosis refers to the narrowing or constriction of the coronary arteries – the blood vessels responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. It is a condition characterized by the gradual build-up of plaque, composed of fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances, along the inner walls of these arteries. As the plaque accumulates, it can restrict or block the normal blood flow to the heart, leading to a decrease in oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Coronary stenosis is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, which is the long-term build-up of plaque within the arteries. Additional risk factors for the development of coronary stenosis include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease.
The narrowing of the coronary arteries due to stenosis can manifest as angina, a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and oxygen. If the stenosis becomes severe enough, it can result in a complete blockage of the blood flow, leading to a heart attack or myocardial infarction.
The diagnosis of coronary stenosis is usually made through various diagnostic tests, such as coronary angiography or coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Treatment options for coronary stenosis may include lifestyle modifications to decrease risk factors, medications to manage symptoms and prevent further plaque formation, and in some cases, invasive procedures like angioplasty to widen the narrowed artery or placement of stents to keep the artery open.
The word "coronary" is derived from the Latin word "corona", meaning "crown", which refers to the shape of the coronary arteries as they encircle the heart. "Stenosis", on the other hand, comes from the Greek word "stenos", meaning "narrow", and refers to the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the accumulation of plaque or other factors. Therefore, "coronary stenosis" refers to the narrowing of the coronary arteries, specifically those that supply blood to the heart muscle.