Which condition is caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries?

Ischemic heart disease is a condition primarily characterized by a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, typically due to a blockage in the coronary arteries. This vascular obstruction often results from atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up on the arterial walls, leading to narrowed or blocked arteries. The reduced blood flow means that the heart may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, resulting in symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or potentially leading to a heart attack.

Myocardial ischemia, which is a related concept, refers explicitly to the state of the heart muscle being deprived of adequate blood supply and is commonly a result of ischemic heart disease. Heart failure, on the other hand, is a broader syndrome that can result from various heart conditions, including ischemic heart disease but does not specifically refer to the blockage of coronary arteries. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that involves irregular heartbeats and can occur in various contexts, but it is not directly caused by a blockage in coronary arteries.

Understanding these distinctions clarifies why ischemic heart disease is the correct response when discussing conditions specifically linked to blockages in coronary arteries.