Introduction
The condition recognized as coronary artery disease, or coronary heart disease, is the predominant type of heart disease. It is the primary cause of death in the United States in both men and women. The coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart, become dangerously thickened and constricted due to this condition, which is frequently avoidable. Consequently, the normal blood flow to the heart is disrupted, giving rise to significant complications.
Angina from coronary artery disease is brought on by insufficient blood flow (chest pain). The prolonged strain on the heart can lead to heart failure, impaired pumping ability, or arrhythmia, which manifests as irregular or rapid heartbeat. A heart attack may result from entirely clogged or clotting-prone arteries that have been damaged.
What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease?
The following are the primary signs of coronary heart disease:
Nevertheless, not everyone experiences the same symptoms; some individuals might not be experiencing anything before coronary heart disease is identified. Symptoms may include:
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Chest discomfort (angina).
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Shortness of breath.
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Pain throughout the body.
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Feeling dizzy.
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Nausea.
What Are the Causes of Coronary Heart Disease?
The condition known as coronary heart disease occurs when there is a buildup of fatty substances in the coronary arteries that prevents or interrupts the heart's blood flow. The arteries' walls may eventually develop fatty deposits on them. The fatty deposits are termed atheroma, and the process is known as atherosclerosis. Lifestyle choices like smoking and binge drinking alcohol regularly can lead to atherosclerosis. Moreover, having diseases like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol increases the chance of developing atherosclerosis.
How Is Coronary Heart Disease Diagnosed?
The following tests are done to diagnose coronary heart disease.
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Coronary Calcium Testing: A short CT (computed tomography) scan shows calcium and plaque accumulation on pictures of the heart between beats. One can see the damage known as the hardening of the arteries. This test may be considered when deciding whether to treat with a statin plus aspirin in patients without established coronary heart disease.
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Blood Test for High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: This shows whether the degree of inflammation is greater than typical.
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ECG (electrocardiogram): Assessment of heartbeat's electrical activity when at rest using an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG).
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Exercise: The exercise stress test, commonly called a treadmill test, evaluates the heart rate during increased effort as it pumps blood throughout the body.
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Echocardiogram: An ultrasound image of the heart is called an echocardiogram.
How To Prevent Coronary Heart Disease?
One may lessen the chance of coronary heart disease (CHD) in several ways, including decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The following are the healthy ways to prevent coronary heart disease.
1. Consume a Balanced and Healthy Diet: It is advised to eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet that is rich in whole grains, five pieces a day of fresh fruit and vegetables, and other nutrients. The maximum amount of salt one should consume daily is 0.2 ounces, as eating more than that can raise blood pressure. One teaspoonful is equal to 0.2 ounces of salt. Saturated and unsaturated fats are two different kinds. Saturated fats should be avoided since they will raise the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood.
Saturated Fat-Rich Foods: These include meat pies, sausages, fatty meat cuts, lard cream, hard cheese, cakes, and biscuits, as well as products made with coconut or palm oil, butter, ghee, a form of butter that is frequently used in Indian cuisine.
Unsaturated Fat-Rich Foods: These include avocados, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and oils from sunflower, rapeseed, olive, and other plants. Moreover, one should make an effort to limit sugar intake since this might raise the risk of getting diabetes, which is known to increase the risk of CHD significantly.
2. Be More Active Physically: An excellent method to keep a healthy weight is to combine a nutritious diet with frequent exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight decreases the risk of acquiring high blood pressure. Frequent exercise will reduce cholesterol, improve heart and blood circulation efficiency, and maintain a healthy blood pressure level. Regular exercise lowers the chance of suffering a heart attack. The heart is a muscle, and exercise is good for muscles. A healthy heart can circulate more blood throughout the body more efficiently. Every aerobic activity, including swimming, dancing, and walking, forces the heart to work harder while maintaining health.
3. Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking will lower the risk of CHD if one is currently smoking. A significant risk factor for atherosclerosis is smoking (furring of the arteries). The majority of coronary thrombosis cases in those under 50 are also brought on by it. According to research, using quit-smoking medications like patches or gum increases the chance of succeeding in stopping smoking by up to three times.
4. Maintaining a Healthy Weight: A doctor or practice nurse can determine the ideal weight for height and build. Instead, one may use a BMI calculator to get their body mass index (BMI).
5. Limit the Alcohol Intake: If one drinks, they should not exceed the recommended upper limits. If they frequently consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week, men and women are encouraged to space out their drinking for three days or more. Never drink excessively since doing so increases the chance of a heart attack.
6. Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure Level: By following a healthy, low-saturated-fat diet, doing regular exercise, and, if necessary, taking blood pressure medication, individuals may keep their blood pressure under control. One should aim to keep their blood pressure around 140/90 millimeters of mercury. Ask the doctor to check the blood pressure frequently if they suspect having high blood pressure
7. Take Care of Diabetes: If one has diabetes, the risk of having CHD is higher. Maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and physical activity will help one control their blood sugar. The goal blood pressure should be less than 130/80 millimeters of mercury if they have diabetes.
Conclusion
Using an interprofessional healthcare team is the best method for addressing coronary artery disease. There should be participation from medical professionals, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, physical trainers, psychologists, patients, and family members. The family physician and cardiologist will oversee the overall strategy, but other team members must bring something special. The best outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease can only be achieved through a fully coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach.
