What is Coronary Artery Disease ? Coronary Artery Disease is a constriction or obstruction of your coronary arteries caused by the accumulation of fatty particles known as plaque. Coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and heart disease are various names for coronary artery disease. Coronary arteries are the blood channels that provide oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle, allowing it to continue beating. The coronary arteries run straight through the heart muscle. To get the Basic Information of Other Heart Diseases, please click here. www.cardium.in
Causes of Coronary Artery Disease ? Atherosclerosis is the root cause of coronary artery disease. An accumulation of plaque – cholesterol, fatty compounds, waste materials, calcium, and the clotting agent fibrin - on the arterial walls. The arteries constrict and stiffen and can block or damage your arteries, limiting or completely stopping blood flow to your heart muscle. If your heart does not receive enough blood, it will not receive the oxygen and nutrients required to function correctly. Ischemia is the medical term for this disease. Inadequate blood flow to your heart muscle might cause chest discomfort or pain (called angina). It also puts you in danger of a heart attack. www.cardium.in
Signs of Coronary Artery Disease The most common symptom of CAD is angina, or chest pain and discomfort. Angina occurs when too much plaque accumulates inside the arteries, causing them to constrict. Blood flow to your heart muscle and the rest of your body might be blocked by narrowed arteries, which can cause chest discomfort. A heart attack is often the first sign that a person has CAD. Among the symptoms of a heart attack are :• Pain or discomfort in the chest (angina) • Weakness, dizziness, nausea (feeling ill to your stomach), or cold sweat • Arm or shoulder pain or discomfort • Breathing difficulty CAD can weaken the heart muscle over time and develop into heart failure, a severe condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as efficiently as it should.
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Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease The doctor will inquire about your medical history, do a physical examination, and prescribe normal blood tests. He or she may also recommend one or more diagnostic tests, such as: 1. Electrocardiogram - An ECG is a recording of electrical impulses as they pass through your heart. An ECG can frequently reveal indications of an initial or ongoing heart attack. 2. Echocardiogram - Echocardiography creates pictures of your heart using sound waves. During an echocardiogram, your doctor can evaluate if all portions of the heart wall commonly contribute to your heart’s pumping action. Parts that move slowly may have been injured during a heart attack or are getting little oxygen. This might be an indication of coronary artery disease or another issue. www.cardium.in
3. Exercise stress test - If your symptoms worsen when you exercise, your doctor may ask you to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike during your ECG. While performing these activities, echocardiography may be performed. This is known as a stress echo. You may use medication to boost your heart instead of exercise in some instances. 4. Nuclear stress test - This test is comparable to an exercise stress test, except it includes pictures in addition to ECG records. It monitors blood flow to your heart muscle both at rest and when stressed. A tracer is put into your circulation, and sophisticated cameras are used to detect regions of your heart that get less blood flow.
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5. Catheterisation and angiography - During cardiac catheterisation, a doctor carefully inserts a catheter into an artery or vein in your groyne, neck, or arm and up to your heart. X-rays are utilised to guide the catheter into the proper location. Dye is sometimes administered through the catheter. The dye enhances the visibility of blood arteries on the pictures and highlights any obstructions. 6. A balloon can be inserted and inflated through the catheter to increase blood flow in your coronary arteries if you have a blockage that has to be treated. To maintain the dilated artery open, a mesh tube (stent) is generally utilised. 7. CT scan - A CT scan of the heart can assist your doctor in detecting calcium deposits in your arteries, which can restrict them. If a significant quantity of calcium is found, coronary artery disease is possible. A CT coronary angiography, in which a contrast dye is administered intravenously during a CT scan, can generate precise pictures of your heart arteries. www.cardium.in
Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease A. Changes in lifestyle Committing to the following healthy lifestyle choices will help promote healthier arteries: 1. Stop smoking. 2. Consume nutritious foods. 3. Regular exercise is essential. 4. Get rid of the extra pounds. 5. Reduce your tension.
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B. Medications Several medications can be used to treat coronary artery disease, including: 1. Medication that lowers cholesterol - These drugs reduce (or modify) the primary material that builds upon the coronary arteries. As a result, cholesterol levels fall, particularly lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. Your doctor can prescribe various medications, such as statins, niacin, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants. 2. Aspirin - Your doctor may advise you to take aspirin or another blood thinner daily. This can reduce the tendency of your blood to clot, which may help prevent coronary artery blockage. If you've had a heart attack; aspirin can help you avoid another one. However, if you have a bleeding disorder or are already taking another blood thinner, consult your doctor before taking aspirin. 3. Beta-blockers - are a type of medication that prevents the body from slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure, lowering your heart's demand for oxygen. If you've had a heart attack, beta-blockers can reduce your risk of having another one. www.cardium.in
4. Calcium channel blockers - are medications that prevent calcium channels from opening. One may use these medications in conjunction with beta-blockers if betablockers alone are ineffective or in place of beta-blockers if you are unable to take them. These medications can help alleviate the symptoms of chest pain. 5. Ranolazine - People suffering from chest discomfort may benefit from this medicine (angina). If you are unable to take a beta-blocker, it may be recommended in addition to or instead of a beta-blocker. 6. Nitroglycerin - Nitroglycerin pills, sprays, and patches can alleviate chest discomfort by temporarily dilapidating your coronary arteries and decreasing your heart's need for blood. 7. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers - are two types of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ARBs). These related medicines lower blood pressure and may aid in the prevention of the development of coronary artery disease. www.cardium.in
Can Coronary Artery Disease be prevented or avoided ? Coronary artery disease cannot be entirely avoided or prevented. However, you may minimise your chances of contracting the illness by doing the following: 1. Quit smoking - Nicotine causes an increase in blood pressure, which leads to coronary artery disease. 2. Keep your blood pressure under control - Take your blood pressure medication and eat a low-sodium diet to help decrease your blood pressure. 3. Consume nutritious foods - Select fruits and vegetables, lean meats and seafood, and whole grains. Try to limit your intake of processed foods, white flour, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. The Mediterranean Diet is extremely beneficial to heart health.
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Regular exercise helps strengthen your heart and lower your risk of heart disease. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of taking low-dose aspirin on a regular basis with your doctor. It aids in the prevention of heart disease. It does, however, have certain negative health consequences. 4. Supplemental vitamins - A nutritious diet will supply your body with all of the vitamins and minerals it requires. Foods high in vitamin E and beta-carotene, for example, are healthful and help lower cardiovascular risk. There is no conclusive evidence that supplementing with multivitamins provides extra protection.
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