| Coronary Heart Disease What
is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits along
the innermost layer of the coronary arteries. The fatty deposits may develop in childhood
and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout the life span. This thickening, called
atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and can decrease or block the flow of blood to the
heart.
Over 12 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease -- the number one killer
of both men and women in the US.
What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is anything that may increase a
person’s chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking,
diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including cancers, have
different risk factors.
Although these factors can increase a person’s
risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors
never develop the disease, while others who do develop the disease may have no known risk
factors.
But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can
help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being
clinically monitored for the disease. |
What are the risk factors for coronary heart disease?
Risk factors for CHD often include:
- high blood cholesterol
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- obesity
Controlling risk factors is the key to preventing illness and death from CHD.
What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?
The symptoms of coronary heart disease will depend on the severity of the
disease. Some persons with CHD have no symptoms, some have episodes of mild chest pain,
and some have more severe chest pain.
If not enough oxygenated blood reaches the heart, a person will experience chest pain
called angina. When the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack,
and the heart muscle may be damaged. Some persons may have a heart attack and never
present any symptoms.
When symptoms are present, each person may experience them differently. Symptoms of
coronary heart disease may include:
- heaviness, tightness, pressure, and/or pain in the chest -- behind the breastbone
- pain radiating in the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, and/or back
How is coronary heart disease diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical
history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for coronary heart disease may
include any, or a combination of, the following:
- electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the
electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias),
and detects heart muscle damage.
- stress test(usually with ECG; also called treadmill or exercise ECG)
- a test that is given while a patient walks on a treadmill to monitor the heart during
exercise. Breathing and blood pressure rates are also monitored. A stress test may be used
to detect coronary artery disease, and/or to determine safe levels of exercise following a
heart attack or heart surgery.
- coronary arteriogram (or angiogram) - with
this procedure, x-rays are taken after a contrast agent is injected into an artery -- to
locate the narrowing, occlusions, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.
- nuclear scanning - radioactive material is injected into a vein
and then is observed using a camera as it is taken up by the heart muscle. This indicates
the healthy and damaged areas of the heart.
Treatment for coronary heart disease:
Specific treatment will be determined by your physician(s) based on:
- your age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
- controlling risk factors (the most effective way to stop the progression of CHD)
- changing to a low-fat diet
- losing weight (if overweight)
- establishing and maintaining an appropriate exercise program
- quitting smoking
- coronary angioplasty - with this procedure, a catheter is used to
create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Although angioplasty is
performed in other blood vessels, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart.
There are several types of PTCA procedures, including:
- balloon angioplasty
- atherectomy
- laser angioplasty
- coronary artery stent
- coronary artery bypass - a surgical procedure in which small portions of veins or arteries are
taken from one part of the body and transplanted into the heart to bypass clogged coronary
arteries in the heart.
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