What is Ischemic Heart Disease?
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 50, Word Count: 673,
Ischemic heart disease is a medical condition described by sporadic or restricted blood flow through arteries in the heart muscle. These arteries cannot carry sufficient oxygen to several areas of the body supplied by such blood vessels. Coronary artery or heart disease is the name given to this condition and can also result into a heart attack. This disease is known to be a silent killer as millions of people have narrow arteries in their heart and are unaware about the fact.
This heart disease develops when cholesterol particles in the blood starts accumulating on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Ultimately, deposits called plaques might form. These deposits narrow the arteries and ultimately block the blood flow. The amount of oxygen supplied to the heart muscle is thus reduced due to the decrease in the blood flow.
The signs and symptoms of this disease might develop slowly as arteries are blocked slowly or they might occur rapidly if an artery is blocked suddenly. There are no symptoms at all in some people with ischemic heart disease while others could have severe chest pain and shortness of breath that could pose a risk of heart attack.
Luckily, with some lifestyle changes, medicines and surgical procedures this disease can be treated successfully. Additionally, by following heart healthy practices such as eating a low fat and low sodium diet, not smoking, being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Symptoms
This disease lessens the blood flow to the coronary arteries which carry oxygen to the heart. This reduction in blood flow might result in several symptoms which can differ in intensity among individuals.
You could experience the symptoms daily or just sporadically. Chest pain, chest pressure or shortness of breath are some common symptoms that:
- Are relieved by medicine or rest
- Might feel like indigestion or gas
- Might feel as if pain beginning in the chest spreads to the back, arms or other areas.
- Occurs repeatedly and when the heart needs to work harder, generally during physical exertion.
- Generally lasts for a short time, i.e. for five minutes or less
Risks Factors
Ischemia is frequently found in combination of conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes and in those who have a genetic history of coronary artery disease. Smoking along with a diet in high fats increases the risk of acquiring ischemia. People who are overweight and intense and those diagnosed with hypertension might also be at heightened risk. Those people who have already experienced a stroke or heart attack might also suffer from narrowed arteries in the heart muscle caused by harm or destruction of heart tissues and cells.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing this disease can be determined by a variety of medical tests in addition with descriptions of symptoms by patients. In majority of the cases, an ECG is given through which the function and electrical activity of the heart muscle is tested. Echocardiogram is also included in diagnostic test which measures sound waves produced by the heart, blood test that might offer results on the levels of cholesterol and other lipoproteins in the blood.
Treatments
There are varieties of treatments given by doctors for this heart disease. While damage done to vessels could not be repaired, treatments carried out focus on preventing more damage to heart vessels. Changing diet, treating high blood pressure through medication, exercise and quitting smoking are some common measures included. Lessening of stress is quite effective along with weight reduction and maintaining a balanced diet is also important.
Several different medicines are available to treat ischemic heart disease and you must consult your health care provider for giving appropriate medication.
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.
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