Which term best describes a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle?

The best term to describe a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle is coronary artery disease. This condition is characterized by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle and lead to various complications, including angina and heart attacks. The focus here is on the long-term process of atherosclerosis, which is the gradual accumulation of materials that cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries over time.

While other terms like coronary occlusion and coronary embolism relate to specific types of blockages, they are more focused on acute events or specific mechanisms. Coronary occlusion refers to a blockage that has instant and critical effects on blood flow, and coronary embolism describes a situation where a blood clot travels from another part of the body and obstructs the coronary arteries. Coronary blood flow disruption is more of a general term that indicates impaired blood flow but does not specifically describe the underlying disease process associated with chronic blockages.