Free radicals formed by tobacco smoke, artificial colors and food additives, gasoline fumes and pollution, along with hypertension lead to what we call arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Eventually calcium deposits, scar tissue, fat and cholesterol form blockages in the arteries leading to the brain or heart and cause heart attacks or strokes. It is usually accompanied by a loss of elasticity and a buildup of calcium along the arterial linings. Eventually there is a buildup of fats along the inside of the coronary walls and heart attacks can occur. Angina Pectoris is basically a spasm of the heart.
Clogged arteries stop an adequate supply of oxygen from reaching the heart.
Pain results from this process either in the chest, shoulder, wrist or jaw. Congestive Heart Failure is an inefficient functioning of the heart tissues that creates an imbalance in the amount of blood pumped to the heart. The blood outflow is exceeded by the inflow and results in a dangerous fluid buildup in the lungs, legs and other organs. Congenital Heart Disease is a disease that occurs before birth and involves to some extent fetal connections between arterial and venous circulations. Many children are now saved because of modern technology.