Final answer:
Atherosclerosis compromises blood flow to the myocardium, which is the heart muscle responsible for the heart's pumping action; this may lead to ischemia, hypoxia, and potentially a heart attack.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atherosclerosis causes a narrowing of coronary arteries, compromising the blood flow to the myocardium. The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart, consisting of heart muscle cells and responsible for the pumping action of the heart. When the coronary arteries are narrowed due to the accumulation of fatty plaques, it can lead to a condition called ischemia, where the tissues receive insufficient oxygen, a state known as hypoxia. A complete blockage may result in myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.