In the early 1900s, most people died from bacterial and viral infections. But, during the 20th century, advances like antibiotics, vaccines, safer drinking water, and purer foods have allowed us to live about 30 years longer—long enough to die from heart disease. To understand why, we first need to understand what makes the heart so vulnerable. The heart is a muscle that, like any other muscle, needs the constant flow of blood, which supplies oxygen. Two major arteries, called coronary arteries, do this. If either of these arteries is blocked, then blood flow is disrupted, causing damage to
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