Coronary refers to anything related to the heart, especially the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients. These vessels, called coronary arteries, wrap around the heart like a crown. When doctors talk about coronary health, they're discussing how well blood flows to your heart muscle.

You'll most often hear this word in the phrase coronary artery disease, a condition where these crucial arteries become narrowed or blocked, making it harder for the heart to get the blood it needs. Coronary can also be used as a noun to mean a heart attack, which happens when blood flow to part of the heart gets completely blocked.

The coronary arteries are some of the hardest-working vessels in your body. Your heart beats about 100,000 times each day, and these arteries must constantly deliver fresh, oxygen-rich blood to keep that powerful muscle pumping. When they can't do their job properly, the heart struggles, which is why coronary problems are so serious.

Doctors monitor coronary health carefully because the heart depends entirely on these arteries functioning well. Exercise and healthy eating help keep coronary arteries clear and strong throughout a person's life.