Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease, is a condition in which the coronary arteries, the major blood vessels that supply blood to the heart, become damaged or diseased. It is usually caused by a build-up of cholesterol and other substances, such as plaque, on the inner walls of the arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage of the arteries.

Symptoms

The symptoms of CHD can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

• Chest pain (angina): a feeling of pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest that may radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath: difficulty breathing or feeling winded even when sitting still or engaging in light physical activity
• Fatigue: feeling weak, tired, or lacking energy
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach: pain or discomfort that may feel like indigestion or heartburn
• Sweating: cold sweats or clamminess
• Lightheadedness or dizziness: feeling faint or dizzy
• Nausea or vomiting: feeling queasy or vomiting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat: a fast or irregular heartbeat

Causes and Risk Factors

CHD is caused by a combination of factors, including:

• High blood pressure: high blood pressure can damage the arteries and increase the risk of CHD
• High cholesterol: high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can contribute to the build-up of plaque in the arteries
• Smoking: smoking damages the inner lining of the arteries and increases the risk of CHD
• Diabetes: diabetes can damage the arteries and increase the risk of CHD
• Obesity: being overweight or obese can increase the risk of CHD
• Physical inactivity: a lack of physical activity can increase the risk of CHD
• Family history: having a family history of CHD can increase the risk
• Age: the risk of CHD increases with age

Treatments

The treatment for CHD depends on the severity of the condition and may include:

• Lifestyle changes: making healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress
• Medications: taking medications to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and prevent blood clots, such as:
• Beta blockers: to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure
• Nitrates: to widen the arteries and improve blood flow
• Statins: to lower cholesterol levels
• Antiplatelet agents: to prevent blood clots
• Angioplasty and stenting: a procedure to widen the arteries and improve blood flow, using a balloon and a stent to keep the artery open
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): a surgical procedure to bypass blocked or narrowed arteries and restore blood flow to the heart
• Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP): a non-invasive procedure that uses cuffs on the legs to improve blood flow to the heart

Prevention

To reduce the risk of CHD, it is essential to:

• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage stress
• Get regular check-ups: to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors

Complications

If left untreated, CHD can lead to:

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction): damage to the heart muscle due to a lack of blood flow
• Heart failure: the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
• Arrhythmias: abnormal heart rhythms
• Cardiac arrest: the heart stops beating suddenly