Heart
disease is the umbrella term for a variety of conditions that affects the
structure of the ticker and its function. Ischemic heart disease occurs when
the arteries of the ticker cannot deliver oxygenated blood to the heart. It is
one of the leading causes of death in USA with most deaths occurring from
coronary heart disease, which is also known as coronary artery disease (the
most common type of ischemic heart disease). Buildup of plaque (a waxy
substance) inside the coronary arteries is what causes coronary heart disease
(CHD). The buildup can partially or totally block blood flow in the large
arteries of the ticker. A disease or injury affecting how the arteries work in
the ticker can also cause some types of this condition. Another type of ischemic
heart disease is coronary microvascular disease which occurs when the ticker’s
tiny arteries do not function normally.
Symptoms of
ischemic heart disease varies from person to person even if two individuals
have the same type. Many individuals because of no symptoms do not know that
they have ischemic heart disease until they experience complications such as a
heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
Types of
Ischemic Heart Disease:
1. Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
2. Nonobstructive Coronary Artery
Disease
3. Coronary Microvascular Disease
Causes of
Ischemic Heart Disease:
The cause depends
on which type you have. There may also be more than one cause, including plaque
buildup or molecular changes in the blood vessels.
Plaque
Buildup- Buildup of
plaques in the arteries is called atherosclerosis which causes the arteries to
become narrower and harden, reducing blood flow to the heart that results in coronary
artery disease. Coronary microvascular disease occurs when small pieces of
plaque or blood clots stick in the small arteries which can happen when pieces
of plaque or blood clots break off during a medical or surgical procedure and
travel to the small arteries. Inflammation (the body’s reaction to an injury)
also plays in important role in the development of ischemic heart disease.
Molecular
Changes in the Small Blood Vessels- When it comes to coronary microvascular disease, the causes
aren’t fully clear which may involve molecular changes in the small vessels of
the ticker that are part of the normal aging process. Additionally, molecular
changes also affect the way genes and proteins are controlled inside the cells
which means the small arteries of the ticker may not respond correctly when
they receive signals indicating that the ticker needs more oxygenated blood, such
as when a person is physically active.
Risk
Factors:
There are
many risk factors with the risk increasing with the type and number of risk
factors you have and how serious they are. You can change some risk
factors—such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol—through
heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Non-modifiable risk factors include sex, older
age, family history and genetics, and race and ethnicity.
Screening
and Prevention:
For
individuals who do not have any ischemic heart disease risk factors, screening
tests and risk assessments for developing the disease should start around age 20.
Children having risk
factors, such as obesity, low levels of physical activity, or a family history
of heart problems may need screening. A doctor, apart from determining whether you
have any known risk factors will also test your cholesterol and blood sugar
levels and check your blood pressure. He or she may use a risk calculator to
determine whether you are in a low-, intermediate-, or high-risk group. Accordingly,
he/she will recommend treatments such as heart-healthy lifestyle changes to
help prevent ischemic heart disease.
Treatment:
Treatment
depends on the type and severity of the disease and other complications or
health conditions an individual may have. Treatment options include heart-healthy
lifestyle changes, medicines, or procedures such as coronary artery bypass
grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention.
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