Coronary heart disease (CHD) narrowing of the coronary arteries usually as a result of atherosclerosis. CHD tends to develop when cholesterol builds up on the artery walls, creating plaques. These plaques cause the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow to the heart, or can cause inflammation in and hardening of the walls of the blood vessel. A clot can sometimes obstruct blood flow, causing serious health problems.
Coronary heart disease definition
The C DC defines coronary heart disease as “a type of heart disease where the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart.”
Causes of coronary heart disease (CHD)
CHD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart. This may also be called hardening of the arteries.- Fatty material and other substances form a plaque buildup on the walls of your coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to your heart.
- This buildup causes the arteries to get narrow.
- As a result, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop.
Coronary heart disease symptoms
Chest pain or discomfort (angina) is the most common symptom.
You feel this pain when the heart is not getting enough blood or oxygen.
The pain may be different from person to person.
- It may feel heavy or like someone is squeezing your heart. You may feel it under your breast bone (sternum). You may also feel it in your neck, arms, stomach, or upper back.
- Pain most often occurs with activity or emotion. It goes away with rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin.
- Other symptoms include shortness of breath and fatigue with activity (exertion).
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- General weakness
Tests for CHD
Your health care provider will examine you.
You will often need more than one test before getting a diagnosis.
Tests to evaluate for CHD may include:
- Coronary angiography -- an invasive test that evaluates the heart arteries under x-ray.
- Echocardiogram stress test.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to look for calcium in the lining of the arteries. The more calcium, the higher your chance for CHD.
- Exercise stress test.
- Heart CT scan.
- Nuclear stress test.
Treatment
You may be asked to take one or more medicines to treat blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Follow your provider's directions closely to help prevent CHD from getting worse. Goals for treating these conditions in people who have CHD:- The most commonly used blood pressure target for people with heart disease is less than 130/80, but your provider may recommend a different blood pressure target.
- If you have diabetes, your HbA1c levels will be monitored and brought down to the level your provider recommends.
- Your LDL cholesterol level will be lowered with statin drugs.
Alternative Treatments for CHD
Treatment depends on your symptoms and how severe the disease is. You should know about:
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- Other medicines are used to treat angina.
- What to do when you have chest pain.
- Being active when you have heart disease.
- Eating a heart-healthy diet.
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Prevention
Take these steps to help prevent heart disease.- If you smoke, stop. There are many resources available to help you stop smoking.
- Learn how to eat a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions. For example, choose heart-healthy fats over butter and other saturated fats.
- Get regular exercise, ideally at least 30 minutes most days. If you have heart disease, talk with your provider about starting an exercise routine.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Lower high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, and if needed, statin medicines.
- Lower high blood pressure using diet and medicines.
- Talk with your provider about aspirin therapy.
- If you have diabetes, keep it well-managed to help prevent heart attack and stroke.
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