What is Coronary Artery Disease?
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 226, Word Count: 978,
Coronary Artery disease is a disease in which fatty deposits build up in the arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscles. Generally, these plaques are formed in the condition called as Atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease is a common form of heart disease. Coronary artery disease is also known as coronary heart disease and CAD.
Coronary arteries are the blood vessels in the heart. They are the smooth and elastic blood vessels, which allow blood to flow freely. Often, this disease progresses very slowly for decades and becomes serious only at the older age, but it can develop in young age too. Men are at a greater risk of developing a coronary artery disease. After menopause, a woman also increases the likelihood of the coronary artery disease.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
If your coronary arteries are narrowed, they cannot supply the oxygenated blood to your heart especially when the heart is beating hard. At the early stage of the coronary artery disease, it may not show any type of symptoms but at the advanced stage when deposits continue to accumulate in your coronary arteries, following symptoms may develop.
- Angina (Chest pain)
- Shortness of breath
- Heart attack
Causes and Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Diseases
Coronary artery disease occurs when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries. These factors include.
- Age – Getting older simply increases your risk related to damaging and narrowing of the arteries, which results in coronary artery disease.
- Gender- Generally, men are more likely to get affected with the coronary artery disease than women. Risk for the women increases after the stage of menopause.
- Family history- If you have a family history of heart disease, it also increases a higher risk of the coronary heart disease. Especially , if your parents developed the disease before the age of 50
- Smoking- Nicotine and carbon monoxide damage the inner lining and the blood vessels, which result in atherosclerosis.
- High blood pressure- High blood pressure leads to hardening and thickening of the arteries, resulting in coronary artery disease.
- High cholesterol level- High level of cholesterol in the blood can lead to an increase of the formation of plaque and atherosclerosis. High cholesterol can be due to high level of low- density lipoprotein, which is also known as bad cholesterol.
- Diabetes- Diabetes is also associated with the increase risk of coronary artery disease.
- Obesity- Excess of weight or been overweight results in increasing the risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- Physical inactivity- Lack of exercise leads to increase the risk level of the coronary heart disease, as well.
- High stress- Unrelieved stress may damage your arteries as well as worsen the other risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Tests and Diagnosis for Coronary Artery Disease
Your doctor may ask you about your medical history, or ask to do a physical examination and order a routine blood test to perform. He or she may also suggest one or more diagnostic test for the diagnosis of the coronary artery disease, it may include.
· Electrocardiogram(ECG)
· Echocardiogram
· Stress test
· CT scan
· Coronary catheterization
Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease
Usually, the treatment for the coronary artery disease involves life style changes and if necessary, it may include drugs, medication, and surgical procedures.
Changes in the Lifestyle
Making a full time commitment to a healthy lifestyle can result in healhier arteries. The change in the life style includes.
- Quit smoking
- Don’t be overweight
- Eat a healthy heart diet
- Exercise regularly
- Manage the stress level
Drug Treatment
There are several drug treatments, which can be applied for the treatment of the coronary artery disease. It includes
- Aspirin
- Cholesterol modifying medications
- Beta blockers
- Nitroglycerin
- Calcium channel blockers
Surgery Treatment
Surgical procedures that are included for the treatment of the coronary artery disease are.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Angioplasty
Some of the healthy lifestyle changes will help you to keep your arteries strong and healthier. Prevention is always better, so try to avoid the above risk factor related to coronary artery disease, which will lead to a healthy and long life.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote