article_snippet: Blood that is lacking in oxygen is carried to the left side of the heart, depriving the heart of oxygen, which can cause damage to the heart muscle. '
article_snippet: In the normal heart, the left coronary artery starts in the aorta.
article_snippet: the aorta is the major blood vessel that takes oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
article_snippet: the left coronary artery is the major blood vessel that takes oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.
article_snippet: When this defect occurs, blood that is lacking in oxygen is carried to the left side of the heart.
article_snippet: Therefore, the heart does not get enough oxygen.
article_snippet: When the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, the tissue begins to die.
article_snippet: The low blood pressure in the left coronary artery causes blood from the left coronary artery to flow toward the left coronary artery instead of toward the heart.
article_snippet: This results in less blood and oxygen to the heart.