Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD), also known as coronary artery disease, is a condition where the blood flow to the heart is restricted due to a blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries. This can lead to a reduction in oxygen and nutrient supply to the heart muscle, resulting in damage or dysfunction.

Causes

The main cause of IHD is atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. This can be due to various factors such as:

• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Family history of heart disease
• Age (risk increases with age)

Symptoms

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

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina) that may radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Pain or numbness in the legs or arms
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating or cold sweats
• Nausea or vomiting

Types of Ischaemic Heart Disease

There are several types of IHD, including:

• Stable angina: This is the most common type of IHD, where the chest pain occurs with physical activity or stress and goes away with rest.
• Unstable angina: This type of IHD is more severe, where the chest pain occurs at rest or with minimal physical activity.
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack): This is a life-threatening condition where the blood flow to the heart is completely blocked, resulting in damage to the heart muscle.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of IHD involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Stress test
• Coronary angiography
• Blood tests to check for high cholesterol, diabetes, and other risk factors

Treatments

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

• Lifestyle modifications such as:
  • Quitting smoking
  • Exercising regularly
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Managing stress
• Medications such as:
  • Beta blockers to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure
  • Nitrates to widen the blood vessels and improve blood flow
  • Antiplatelet agents to prevent blood clots
  • Statins to lower cholesterol levels
• Procedures such as:
  • Angioplasty and stenting to widen the blocked arteries
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to bypass the blocked arteries

Complications

If left untreated, IHD can lead to serious complications such as:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Cardiac arrest
• Sudden death

Prevention

Preventing IHD involves managing the risk factors and making lifestyle modifications such as:

• Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Getting regular check-ups with a healthcare provider

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Ischaemic heart disease?
A condition where the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen due to narrowed or blocked arteries.

What are the main causes of Ischaemic heart disease?
Typically caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries.

What are the symptoms of Ischaemic heart disease?
May include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain or weakness in the arms or legs.

How is Ischaemic heart disease diagnosed?
Typically diagnosed using electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography.

What are the risk factors for Ischaemic heart disease?
Include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and family history of heart disease.

Can Ischaemic heart disease be prevented?
Possibly, through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and managing stress.

What are the treatment options for Ischaemic heart disease?
May include medications, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and lifestyle modifications.

Can Ischaemic heart disease lead to other health problems?
Possibly, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest.

How common is Ischaemic heart disease?
It is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of people.

Is Ischaemic heart disease more common in men or women?
Generally more common in men, especially those over 45 years old, but can also affect women, particularly after menopause.