Ischemic heart disease (IHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is a condition in which the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced due to the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.
This restriction is typically caused by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. When the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood, it can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or even a heart attack.
Key Causes and Risk Factors:
Atherosclerosis: The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries.
High blood pressure: Can damage the arteries and lead to plaque formation.
High cholesterol: Excess cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup.
Smoking: Damages the lining of blood vessels, making it easier for plaque to build up.
Diabetes: Increases the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Obesity: Increases the strain on the heart and can lead to other risk factors.
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of exercise contributes to obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Unhealthy diet: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar can increase risk.
Symptoms:
• Chest pain or discomfort (angina), often described as pressure, tightness, or heaviness.
• Shortness of breath.
Fatigue or weakness, especially with exertion.
• Pain in the arms, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back.
• Heart attack: If the blood flow to part of the heart muscle is completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack, which can be fatal.
Diagnosis:
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
• Stress tests: Evaluates how the heart works under physical stress.
• Coronary angiography: Involves injecting dye into the coronary arteries and using X-ray imaging to detect blockages.
• Blood tests: Check for markers of heart disease or heart attack, such as troponin levels.
Treatment:
• Lifestyle changes: Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
• Medications: These include cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), blood pressure medications, blood thinners, and drugs to relieve chest pain.
Surgical procedures:
• Angioplasty: A procedure to open up blocked arteries using a balloon and often a stent to keep them open.
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): Surgery that reroutes blood flow around a blocked artery by using a blood vessel from another part of the body.
Prevention:
Healthy lifestyle choices: A balanced diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for reducing the risk of IHD.
How To Easily Detect If You Are At Risk Of Having Kidney Failure
Regular health checkups: Monitoring cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar helps in early detection and management of risk factors.
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but it is largely preventable through lifestyle changes and manageable with proper medical care.
