Re: Why does blockage of the arteries always occur close to the heart .

Blockage of arteries does not always occur near the heart. It also occurs 
at other places like in the leg for instance. But blockages occur there 
less frequently because of the reason that gravity often dislodges the 
blocks. Near the heart, where arteries enter it, there are valves which 
control the flow of blood into the heart. If there is a blockage, it 
usually gets stucks there because of the valves. Hence a heart stroke. 
Otherwise, such blocks also occur in the brain, leding to brain strokes, or 
in the legs and arms even.