The heart is a large muscle that needs oxygen to pump blood around the body. Oxygen is carried in the blood through the blood vessels. The blood vessels that deliver oxygen to the heart are called coronary arteries.

Sometimes problems can occur when a coronary artery becomes too narrow, stopping enough oxygen from reaching certain areas of the heart. When one or more coronary arteries become too narrow, this is called coronary artery disease.

Reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina pectoris, also referred to as angina). Usually this is not life threatening, but it can be a warning sign that you might be at risk of a heart attack. A heart attack happens when a coronary artery gets fully blocked. A heart attack is very rare, especially in young people. There are a number of things anyone can do to lower the risk of having a heart attack, such as adopting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For more information on taking up a healthier lifestyle, please read: Health promotion.