Causes Of Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease is very prevalent in the United States. It has caused serous illness and death within my family. It is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. I feel that people should be informed about the disease because there are certain things that one can do to reduce the risks of getting it. Although genetics contribute to a persons risk, this should not be used as an excuse, but more as a motivator to live a heart healthy lifestyle. CHD is
Can Coronary Artery Disease Be Prevented
You can certainly make changes that will lower your chance of developing coronary artery disease, but this condition is not 100% preventable. This is because there are two kinds of risk factors those that cant be changed and those that can be .
Nonmodifiable risk factors include older age, male gender, a family history of heart disease and genetic factors. See the question, who gets coronary artery disease earlier in this article for more information.
However, there are many risk factors that you can modify. These are mostly lifestyle changes like losing weight if youre overweight, stopping smoking if you smoke, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol level at their goal numbers and managing diabetes. See lifestyle changes under the treatment section of this article for more examples.
Keep in mind that the more risk factors you have, the higher the chance of having heart disease. Fortunately, you can choose to help yourself and reduce the risk of disease by taking control over your individual risk factors that can be changed.
What Are The Coronary Arteries
Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to function, and oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries run along the outside of the heart and have small branches that supply blood to the heart muscle.
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Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors
Many things can make you more likely to have coronary artery disease. Some you can change, and some you canât. They include:
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Age, especially being older than 65
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Being overweight or obese
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Diabetes
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Family history, especially if one of your close relatives got heart disease at a young age
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Gender. Men have a greater risk of heart attack and have them earlier, compared with women, until the risk evens out at age 70.
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High blood pressure and high cholesterol
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High stress
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Lack of physical activity
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Race. African Americans have a higher risk than people of other races because they tend to have higher blood pressure. Higher rates of obesity and diabetes in some Asian and Hispanic people may also put them at higher risk of heart disease.
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Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke
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Unhealthy diet, including a lot of food that has high saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar
Why Does Coronary Heart Disease Affect Women Differently
Coronary heart disease is different for women than men because of hormonal and anatomical differences.
- Hormonal changes affect a womans risk for coronary heart disease. Before menopause, the hormone estrogen provides women with some protection against coronary artery disease. Estrogen raises levels of HDL cholesterol and helps keep the arteries flexible so they can widen to deliver more oxygen to the tissues of the heart in response to chemical and electrical signals. After menopause, estrogen levels drop, increasing a womans risk for coronary heart disease.
- The size and structure of the heart is different for women and men. A womans heart and blood vessels are smaller, and the muscular walls of womens hearts are thinner.
- Women are more likely to have nonobstructive coronary heart disease or coronary microvascular disease. These types are harder to diagnose than obstructive coronary artery disease, which can be harder to diagnose. This can cause delays in getting diagnosed and treated.
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What Factors Affect Risk For Women Differently
Women are more likely than men to have medical conditions or life issues that raise their risk for coronary heart disease.
- Anemia,especially during pregnancy
- Low levels of HDL cholesterol
- Mild to moderate high blood pressure
- Smoking
Visit The Heart Truth® to learn more about coronary heart disease risk factors for women and how to lower them.
Angiotensin Ii Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors. They are used to lower your blood pressure by limiting angiotensin II. These are usually prescribed if you are experiencing side effects from ACE inhibitors as an alternative. Mild dizziness is usually the only side effect from angiotensin II antagonists.
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Symptoms Of Heart Disease
Women typically have symptoms of heart disease about 10 years later than men. For men, chest pain is a common symptom. In women, symptoms of a heart attack are more subtle and can include:
- Pain or aching in the chest and upper arms or back
- Unusually fast heartbeat
- Family history of heart disease, especially at an early age
- Being 55 years old or older
- Menopause
The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack
The discomfort or pain of a heart attack is similar to that of angina, but it is often more severe. During a heart attack, you may also experience the following symptoms:
- sweating
- nausea
- breathlessness
The symptoms of a heart attack can be similar to indigestion. For example, they may include a feeling of heaviness in your chest, a stomach ache or heartburn. A heart attack can happen at any time, including while you are resting.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease
The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The effects of behavioural risk factors may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight and obesity. These intermediate risks factors can be measured in primary care facilities and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications.
Cessation of tobacco use, reduction of salt in the diet, eating more fruit and vegetables, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful use of alcohol have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Health policies that create conducive environments for making healthy choices affordable and available are essential for motivating people to adopt and sustain healthy behaviours.
There are also a number of underlying determinants of CVDs. These are a reflection of the major forces driving social, economic and cultural change globalization, urbanization and population ageing. Other determinants of CVDs include poverty, stress and hereditary factors.
In addition, drug treatment of hypertension, diabetes and high blood lipids are necessary to reduce cardiovascular risk and prevent heart attacks and strokes among people with these conditions.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
People with , most commonly or , frequently have chronic shortness of breath and a chronic productive cough. An presents with increased shortness of breath and production. is a risk factor for thus this condition should be ruled out. In an acute exacerbation treatment is with a combination of , , and possibly .
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What Happens To The Arteries In Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside your arteries. Plaque consists of cholesterol, fatty substances, waste products, calcium and the clot-making substance fibrin. As plaque continues to collect on your artery walls, your arteries narrow and stiffen. Plaque can clog or damage your arteries, which limits or stops blood flow to your heart muscle. If your heart does not get enough blood, it can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to work properly. This condition is called ischemia. Not getting enough blood supply to your heart muscle can lead to chest discomfort or chest pain . It also puts you at risk for a heart attack.
Women And Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. About 80% of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease. Having multiple risk factors significantly increases a womans chance of developing coronary heart disease.
Learn more about how the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of coronary heart disease may be different for women than for men. Read Advancing Women’s Heart Health to learn more.
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What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms Of Coronary Artery Disease
Because the symptoms of coronary artery disease can be symptoms of a heart attack, you need to seek immediate help. if you think you are having symptoms of a heart attack.
If a blood clot in a coronary artery has broken loose and moved into your brain, it can cause a stroke, although this is rare. Symptoms of a stroke include:
- Drooping on one side of your face. Look at your smile in a mirror or ask someone to check your smile.
- Arm weakness or numbness.
- Difficulty speaking/slurred speech.
If you experience any of these symptoms, CALL 911. Every minute you spend without treatment increases your risk of long-term damage.
Family History And Genetics
A family history of early heart disease is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. This is especially true if your father or brother was diagnosed before age 55, or if your mother or sister was diagnosed before age 65. Research shows that some genes are linked with a higher risk for coronary heart disease.
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How Is Coronary Heart Disease Diagnosed
After a physical exam, several different diagnostic tests may be used to determine whether or not you have coronary heart disease. These tests may include:
- Electrocardiogram
- CT scans
- Cardiac catheterization
Your doctor will determine the best type of test to use based on your symptoms and other health factors.
Heart Disease : The Number One Killer
Heart Disease is the number one killer in America. It is a disease that has become more prominent since the obese population has increased. Many people have learned many of the habits that can cause heart disease, but still do the things anyway. Some people stop doing many of the things that can cause heart disease, but continue to do one thing that could still give them heart disease. Smoking is one of the main causes of heart disease and people should stop smoking if they care about their heart
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What Are The Causes Of Heart Disease
Heart disease occurs when plaque develops in the arteries and blood vessels that lead to the heart. This blocks important nutrients and oxygen from reaching your heart.
Plaque is a waxy substance made up of cholesterol, fatty molecules, and minerals. Plaque accumulates over time when the inner lining of an artery is damaged by high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, or elevated cholesterol or triglycerides.
Several risk factors play an important role in determining whether or not youre likely to develop heart disease. Two of these factors, age and heredity, are out of your control.
The risk of heart disease around the age of 55 in women and 45 in men. Your risk may be greater if you have close family members who have a history of heart disease.
Other risk factors for heart disease include:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that people with type 2 diabetes and especially those who have reached middle age are twice as likely to have heart disease or experience a stroke as people who dont have diabetes.
Adults with diabetes tend to have heart attacks at a younger age. Theyre more likely to experience multiple heart attacks if they have insulin resistance or high blood glucose levels.
The reason for this is the relationship between glucose and blood vessel health.
You should also maintain a healthy weight. And if you smoke, nows a good time to consider quitting.
Why Are Cardiovascular Diseases A Development Issue In Low
At least three-quarters of the world’s deaths from CVDs occur in low- and middle-income countries. People living in low- and middle-income countries often do not have the benefit of primary health care programmes for early detection and treatment of people with risk factors for CVDs. People in low- and middle-income countries who suffer from CVDs and other noncommunicable diseases have less access to effective and equitable health care services which respond to their needs. As a result, for many people in these countries detection is often late in the course of the disease and people die at a younger age from CVDs and other noncommunicable diseases, often in their most productive years.
The poorest people in low- and middle-income countries are most affected. At the household level, evidence is emerging that CVDs and other noncommunicable diseases contribute to poverty due to catastrophic health spending and high out-of-pocket expenditure. At the macro-economic level, CVDs place a heavy burden on the economies of low- and middle-income countries.
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What Causes Coronary Artery Disease
CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart and other parts of the body.
Plaque is made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances in the artery. Plaque buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, which can partially or totally block the blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis.
What Is Coronary Heart Disease / Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary heart disease is a condition that arises due to blocks in blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. It is a heart condition where the arteries become narrow due to waxy deposits of plaque .
Arteries are blood vessels that supply blood from the heart to different organs and tissues of the body. The coronary arteries supply oxygen to the heart muscle.
Depending on how narrow the arteries are and how long they have been narrow, the heart can suffer from complications like failure of the right or left side of the heart, abnormal heart rhythms, dysfunctional heart valves, or a heart attack if the arteries are completely blocked.
According to the World Health Organization 7.4 million people were estimated to have died from CHD in 2012.
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Causes Of Coronary Artery Disease
The number one leading cause of death is heart diseases but more importantly the main heart disease, Coronary Artery Disease. Coronary Artery disease has been recorded to to cause chest pain, chest pain, and irregular cardiovascular functions. Coronary Artery has affected 500, 000 people in the last year. Coronary Artery disease affects families lives and there way of living as they see it. The disease itself creates heart failure and irregular heartbeats leading to Atherosclerosis which is Artery
Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption
If you drink, make sure that you stick to the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption. The recommended daily amount of alcohol for men is three to four units a day, and it is two to three units for women. Try to have a few alcohol free days throughout the week and you should always avoid binge drinking.
More about reducing how much alcohol you drink
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What Is Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome is the name given to types of coronary disease that are associated with a sudden blockage in the blood supply to your heart. Some people have symptoms before they have acute coronary syndrome, but you may not have symptoms until the condition occurs. Some people never have any symptoms. Changes caused by acute coronary syndrome can be seen on an electrocardiogram and in blood tests. Acute coronary syndrome is defined by the location of the blockage, length of time the artery is blocked and amount of damage and is defined as:
- Unstable angina: This may be a new symptom or can happen if you have stable angina that changes to unstable angina. You may start to have angina more often, when you are resting, or it may be worse or last longer. The condition can lead to a heart attack. If you have unstable angina, you will need medication, such as nitroglycerin or a procedure to correct the problem.
- Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction : This is a type of heart attack that does not cause major changes on an ECG. But, a blood test will show that there is damage to your heart muscle.
- ST segment elevation myocardial infarction : This type of heart attack is caused by a sudden blockage of the blood supply to the heart.
These are life-threatening conditions that require emergency medical care.
Common Symptoms Of Ischemic Heart Disease
You may experience ischemic heart disease symptoms daily or just occasionally. Common symptoms include chest pain, , or shortness of breath that:
- Is relieved by rest or medicine
- May feel as if pain starting in the chest spreads to the arms, back, or other areas
- May feel like gas or
- Occurs repeatedly episodes tend to be alike
- Occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion
- Usually lasts a short time
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Diagnostic Tests And Procedures
To diagnose coronary heart disease, your doctor may order some of the following tests.
If you have coronary heart disease risk factors, your doctor may recommend diagnostic tests even if you do not have symptoms.
Nonobstructive coronary artery disease and coronary microvascular disease can be missed because patients or doctors may not recognize the warning signs. Diagnosing these types often requires more invasive tests or specialized tests, such as cardiac PET scans, that are not widely available.