Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease also known as coronary artery disease is the end result as fatty materials, scar tissue or plaque and calcium builds up in the arteries thus slowing the flood flow going to the heart and cutting off the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart that causes angina or chest pain. In some cases the blood flow going to the heart is completely blocked which result heart attack (myocardial infraction) or a fatal rhythm disturbance (sudden cardiac arrest).

A major cause of death and disability, coronary heart disease is the leading reason of death of men and women over 20 years old. It is also observed as more common in older people and in males. Most individuals with coronary heart disease show no evidence of the disease as it progresses until the first onset of symptoms finally arise which is often a sudden heart attack.

Typically the earliest sign of coronary heart disease are angina and shortness of breath with exertion. Its other symptoms include fast heart beat, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and increased perspiration.

The tendency to develop coronary heart disease can be due to genetics and the rick of getting the disease increase as one age. However, certain lifestyle factors also attributes to its development.

Cigarette and Tobacco Smoking
Smokers’ risk of acquiring coronary heart disease is twice compared to non-smokers.

Alcohol Drinking
Excessive alcohol intake raises your blood pressure and therefore weakens the heart too.

High Blood Pressure
The heart’s workload increases with high blood pressure which cause it to enlarge and then weaken as time pass by.

High Cholesterol Level
High cholesterol level increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

If one is suspected to have coronary heart disease, a physician may request for a coronary angiograph as this is the only certain way to diagnose and measure the extent of the disease.