Heart Your Family's Guide to Understanding the Heart

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease, is an incurable type of disease. Though, doctors and medical developers found means to manage the disease effectively. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the malady that inhibits the arteries of the heart that causes blockage. With the right treatment, the symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease can be reduced and the functioning of the heart improved. Many different medicines are used to treat coronary heart disease. This gives doctors a wide choice and means that a medication can be prescribed to meet your particular circumstances and needs. Some heart medicines have side effects, so it may take a while to find one that works for you. Your GP or specialist will be able to discuss the various options with you.

Disease develops when a combination of fatty material, calcium, and scar tissue (plaque) builds up in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Through these arteries, called the coronary arteries, the heart muscle (myocardium) gets the oxygen and other nutrients it needs to pump blood. The plaque often narrows the artery so that the heart does not get enough blood. Plaque is like a firm shell with a soft inner core containing cholesterol. As blood hits it during each heartbeat, the plaque may crack open and expose its inner cholesterol core, which promotes blood clotting. Clots may further reduce blood flow, causing severe pain (angina), or even block it all together. As a child, the inner lining of the coronary arteries is quite smooth, allowing blood to flow easily. As a person ages, the cholesterol and calcium content in the walls of the coronary arteries increases, making them thicker and less elastic. This process is known as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

The deposits, or plaques, eventually obstruct the blood vessel, which begins to restrict blood flow. Unhealthy habits, such as a diet high in cholesterol and other fats, smoking, and lack of exercise accelerate the deposit of fat and calcium within the inner lining of coronary arteries. Over time, the walls of your arteries can become furred up with fatty deposits. This process is known as atherosclerosis, and the fatty deposits are called atheroma. If your coronary arteries become narrow due to a build up of atheroma, the blood supply to your heart will be restricted. This can cause angina (chest pains).If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack. The medical term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. Coronary artery disease often progresses slowly for decades and becomes serious only in older age, but it can develop rapidly in younger people. Men have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease at younger ages; but young women can also develop coronary artery disease. After menopause, the likelihood of coronary artery disease and heart attacks in women significantly increases.

By making some simple lifestyle changes, you can reduce your risk of getting coronary heart disease. And if you already have heart disease, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing further heart-related problems.

By: Yoej

Coronary Heart Disease Recommended Resources:

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Virginia Health System

Dan Miller 14.04.09 at 00:02am

So, is it recommended if you take fats at a younger age?

Ricky Cyrus 14.04.09 at 00:57am

It is not a proper minded-setting. Rather, take into account that at a young age, the body can burn more fats, still, it is not an assurance that you will not accumulate those fatty acids.

kidist 25.08.09 at 04:25am

how can to control whit blood prasssure.

Robi60 08.10.09 at 14:58pm

I have heard there is a connection between STOPPING smoking and having a heart attack. If you stop smoking, more likely than not, you will have an attack. Is there any research on this?

Harmonious Volunteer Cent 07.12.09 at 20:24pm

Our organization would like the participation of the American Heart Association at the series of public events that we are sponsoring in 2010. Information being sent to email@heart.org

arthur seagust 04.01.10 at 10:13am

had heart attack 2004 died and brought back with electro pads in hospital. i have just had another this time they inserted metal stems 3 off what are my chances of living for 5years aged 60 need advice.

maria 27.01.10 at 13:41pm

wow dont realy care just doin this for skool sooooo yah i dont even wannt to read this peace

andre 27.01.10 at 13:45pm

this is lame and i dont care so u people should get a life loseres tats y we have hospitals

kaieny 21.02.10 at 09:29am

if you don't care you might be the one researching this website for yourself or family member a couple years from now. you might think its lame now i hope later on in life it does'nt happen to you .......... lets see how lame you'll find it then..........

dorothy moreau 19.04.10 at 13:36pm

how long can u go without a meds.call erbitux. she has this sense she was 4yrs. now she 15 yrs. is this possblie that she could live with yhis heart disease this long.

SinClair Taniguchi 14.05.10 at 05:57am

I have been introduced to nobel prize winning technology that is changing the way we challenge cardiovascular disease. Please email me or give me a call at 808-265-7886.

Who do you know we can HELP?

Karen Staedter 28.05.10 at 14:26pm

I am actually call about my son. He said that only when he drinks cold (or ice cold) water /liquidsc does he feel a pain in his left boob area. But it doesn't happen when he drinks warm water/liquids or room temp liquids. I was looking up Mitrol Valve. He is 43.

Thanks

melody shirah 05.06.10 at 02:03am

i am writing concearning my husband who really needs help hes 44 had a heart attack with pace maker he has clogged arteries and one doc says he has 5 yrs or less to live we live in nome tx right outside of houston tx we have ins the doc says nothing else can be done when i know there is got to be wont another oppion but dont know where to go or what to do next can u plz help me to help my husband i dont know where to go or what to do plz dont set this aside plz help a person plz

Robi60 wrote:
I have heard there is a connection between STOPPING smoking and having a heart attack. If you stop smoking, more likely than not, you will have an attack. Is there any research on this?

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Patty 21.07.10 at 15:10pm

Hi, in the hospital waiting for nuclear scan results, hoping I don't have to have a cath. but will if need be. God is in control!

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