The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood. The two coronary arteries are the right coronary artery and the left coronary artery. Silent coronary artery disease occurs when a blockage in the coronary arteries hinders blood flow, but no symptoms are present.
Causes
The most common cause of silent coronary disease is the accumulation of plaque on the arterial walls, which is referred to as atherosclerosis. When plaque builds up on the arteries, it narrows and hardens them. Smoking is the leading cause in the development of atherosclerosis.
Complications
Heart failure is a common complication of untreated silent coronary disease, according to MayoClinic.com. The condition can also cause heart attack, stroke and aneurysms.
Considerations
Because silent coronary disease does not cause any symptoms, the condition may not be diagnosed until a heart attack or stroke has occurred. Once coronary artery disease is diagnosed, treatment, which consists of medications, lifestyle changes and possible surgeries, will begin.
