Coronary Heart Disease

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 the leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for more than 7 million deaths each year.

What happens in Coronary Heart Disease?

In CHD, the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of cholesterol-containing deposits called plaques. This process is known as atherosclerosis. The plaques can rupture, leading to the formation of blood clots that can further block the artery and reduce blood flow to the heart.

Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease

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

• Chest pain (angina): a feeling of pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest that can radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath: difficulty breathing or feeling winded even when at rest
• Fatigue: feeling weak or tired
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Types of Coronary Heart Disease

There are several types of CHD, including:

• Stable angina: chest pain that occurs with physical activity or stress and is relieved by rest or medication
• Unstable angina: chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal physical activity and is a sign of a potential heart attack
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack): damage to the heart muscle due to a blockage of a coronary artery
• Silent myocardial ischemia: a condition in which the heart does not receive enough oxygen, but there are no symptoms

Causes and Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease

The causes and risk factors of CHD include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Family history of CHD
• Aging
• Stress

Treatments for Coronary Heart Disease

The treatments for CHD depend on the severity of the condition and may include:

• Lifestyle changes: quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, losing weight, and managing stress
• Medications: to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and prevent blood clots, such as beta blockers, nitrates, and statins
• Angioplasty and stenting: a procedure to open blocked coronary arteries using a balloon and a stent
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): surgery to bypass blocked coronary arteries using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body
• Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP): a non-invasive procedure that uses pressure waves to improve blood flow to the heart

Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Preventing CHD involves:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Getting regular check-ups
• Monitoring and managing risk factors
• Avoiding tobacco smoke
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Managing stress