Coronary Artery Disease.
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Understanding Coronary Artery Disease
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease occurs when the heart’s coronary arteries—which supply blood to the heart muscle—narrow or become blocked due to the gradual buildup of plaque on the artery walls, thereby reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.
This process of plaque buildup in the arteries is called atherosclerosis. It is a highly complex process involving many factors within the arteries, including inflammation and the buildup of fats, such as cholesterol.
Ultimately, reduced blood flow can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease.
A complete blockage can cause a heart attack. Ultimately, reduced blood flow can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptom is angina or chest pain.
Angina can be described as:
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A feeling of heaviness
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Feeling stressed
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Burning sensation
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Numbness
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A feeling of fullness
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A feeling of being squeezed
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Pain
These symptoms can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn.
Angina is usually felt in the chest, but it can also be felt in:
Shoulder
Neck
Arm
Back
Jaw
Symptoms in women are often more subtle. Nausea, sweating, fatigue, or shortness of breath may accompany the characteristic chest pain that feels like pressure.
Other symptoms that may occur with coronary artery disease include:
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a sensation of the heart flipping in the chest)
• A faster heart rate
• Weakness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:
Age
As we age, the risk of arterial damage and narrowing increases.
Gender
Men generally have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. However, the risk for women increases after menopause.
Family History
A family history of heart disease is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a close relative developed heart disease at a young age. Your risk is highest if your father or brother was diagnosed with heart disease before age 55, or if your mother or sister developed it before age 65.
Smoking
People who smoke have a much higher risk of heart disease. Your exposure of others to secondhand smoke also increases their risk of coronary artery disease.
High Blood Pressure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause the arteries to harden and thicken, narrowing the channels through which blood flows.
High Blood Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol levels in the blood can increase the risk of plaque buildup and atherosclerosis. High cholesterol can be caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as “bad” cholesterol. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—known as “good” cholesterol—can be a sign of atherosclerosis.
Lack of physical activity
A lack of physical activity is also linked to coronary artery disease and some of its risk factors.
High stress
Unmanaged stress in your life can damage your arteries and exacerbate other risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Risk factors often occur together and can reinforce one another, such as obesity leading to type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. When they occur together, certain risk factors increase the risk of coronary artery disease. For example, metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high triglycerides, elevated insulin levels, and excess body fat around the waist—increases the risk of coronary artery disease.
Sometimes coronary artery disease develops without the classic risk factors. Researchers are studying other possible factors, including:
• Sleep apnea.
This disorder causes breathing to stop and restart repeatedly during sleep. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels during sleep apnea raise blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to coronary artery disease.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a normal protein whose levels rise when inflammation occurs in a part of the body. High levels of hs-CRP can be a risk factor for heart disease. It is believed that when the coronary arteries narrow, hs-CRP levels in the blood rise.
• High triglycerides.
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood. High levels can increase the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women.
• Homocysteine.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that the body uses to produce proteins and to build and maintain tissues. However, high homocysteine levels can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
How is the diagnosis made?
A doctor can determine whether you have coronary artery disease after:
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Understanding your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors.
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Doing physical examination.
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Performing diagnostic tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG or ECG), echocardiogram, stress test with physical exercise, electron beam CT (ultra-high-speed), cardiac catheterization, and others. These tests help doctors determine the severity of heart disease Your coronary arteries, how they affect your heart, and the best treatment for you.
What is the treatment?
Treatment may include:
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Lifestyle Changes
If you smoke, quit. Avoid processed foods and make a habit of diet low in trans fat, low in salt, and low in sugar. Take care blood sugar stay in control if you have diabetes. Exercise on a regular basis, but talk to your doctor before you start sports program.
02
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Other surgeries and procedures:
Common procedures for treating coronary artery disease include:
• Angioplasty balloon
• Installation stent
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
All of these procedures improve blood flow to the heart, but they do not cure coronary heart disease. Preventing heart disease is the key.
Prevention
Lifestyle habits that help manage coronary artery disease can also help prevent it from developing in the first place. Leading a healthy lifestyle can help keep your arteries strong and free of plaque. To improve your heart health, you can:
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Quit smoking
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Managing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
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Stay physically active
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Adopt a low-fat, low-sodium diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Reducing and Managing Stress