-Woon

Ischemic or Atherosclerotic Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Heart Disease (CAD), is the world’s deadliest disease. CAD is a serious condition resulting from a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels which bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart, In healthy conditions, arteries are smooth and elastic. However, buildup of plaque on the inner walls of these arteries can cause them to become stiff and narrow. This causes slow blood flow to the heart muscle which prevents it from receiving the oxygen it needs.
“CAD is the leading cause of deaths due to diseases, claiming around 17.9 million lives every year. Although mortality rates have improved in developed countries, cases of CAD in developing countries is still on the rise. In India alone, more than 10 million cases are recorded every year.“
Untreated conditions of CAD can result in chest pain, heart pain and arrhythmias.
Risk Factors and Symptoms
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, family history of CAD, diabetes and being overweight are some of the major risk factors of CAD. It is advisable to talk to your doctor if you show one or more of these symptoms.
The most common symptom of CAD is chest pain, also known as Angina. Angina is usually felt by patients as an aching, burning, fullness, heaviness, numbness, pressure, squeezing, weakness or dizziness. It is often mistaken for indigestion or heartburn.
Though Angina is normally felt in the chest, it can also be felt in the arms, back, jaw, neck or shoulders.
Symptoms of Angina are often found to be subtler in women. Fatigue, nausea, sweating or shortness of breath can accompany the typical pressure like chest pain.
Faster heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating and weakness or dizziness are some other symptoms of CAD.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes requirements:
• Quit smoking
• Eat less rocessed food.
• Change to a diet low in salt, sugar and trans fats.
• Diabetic patients should keep their blood sugar in control.
• Exercise on a regular basis. (Talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program)
Medications:
Medications might be needed if lifestyle changes are not enough. Your situation with dictate what drugs you’ll have to take. Patients diagonised with CAD might have to take:
• Aspirin
• Beta blockers
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Medications to help cholesterol (niacin, statins, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants)
• Nitroglycerin
• Ranolazine
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Evolocumab (Repatha), which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease.
Prevention
The good news is, CAD can be prevented by maintaining good heart health and taking medications. Here are a few steps you can follow to decrease your risk of contracting CAD:
• Regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a balanced diet, one which is high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid drinking.