The atherosclerotic lesions in the arterial lumen represent a point of "minor resistance", i.e. a point at which the interior lining of the artery is susceptible to injury. Such injury initiates a thrombotic cascade, designated to repair the wound. However, the formation of a thrombus in the already narrowed artery quickly leads to a complete obstruction of the arterial lumen.

As a result, coronary blood flow to parts of the heart muscle is blocked, causing significant damage to cardiac tissue and function. This damage often leads to shock and death.