अब बोर्ड की परीक्षाओं में गणित का प्रश्नपत्र होगा आसान, 2020 में लागू ...
Heart Health: Experiencing Frequent Chest Pain, Can Be A Warning Sign Of Blocked Arteries
Heart Health: Discover the crucial signs that your arteries may be clogged. Learn to recognize the symptoms of this potentially life-threatening condition, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and more. Early detection can be a lifesaver – educate yourself now!
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD)—sometimes also called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease—is a type of heart disease that occurs when the blood vessels (also called arteries) that feed the heart become narrow. The most common cause of CAD is atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of cholesterol plaque in your arteries. When your arteries become narrow enough to impair blood flow to the heart, you can experience symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath.
Researchers estimate that 5% of adults over the age of 20 in the United States live with CAD. If you're experiencing symptoms of CAD or have a family history of heart disease, it's essential to see your healthcare provider or cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in heart disease) for proper testing. Treatment consists of medication and lifestyle changes, but sometimes includes surgery. Without treatment, you may be at risk of complications like heart attack, heart failure, and even death.
The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina (or, chest pain). Your chest pain may cause you to feel pressure, squeezing, and tightness. It's also common to feel like something heavy is sitting on top of your chest. But, angina may also cause discomfort in other parts of the body, such as your arms, jaw, upper abdomen, and back. Aside from chest pain, you might also experience: The primary cause of CAD is atherosclerosis—a condition that occurs when there is too much build-up of cholesterol in your arteries. As a result of the build-up, your blood vessels can become too narrow and create blockages that affect how easily blood can flow to your heart. Atherosclerosis not only causes CAD, but may also increase your risk of a heart attack, blood clots, heart failure, and arrhythmias (or, irregular heartbeats). Risk Factors While atherosclerosis is the most common cause, other biological and environmental factors may also increase your risk of experiencing symptoms of the disease. These risk factors include: If you have symptoms of CAD, it's in your best interest to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. During your appointment, they will take a detailed medical history to learn about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They can also order a variety of tests to determine whether atherosclerosis is present and whether or not you're experiencing a restriction of blood flor to your heart. Your provider may use one or more of the following diagnostic measures to better understand your condition and overall heart health: Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Records the electrical signal from your heart to show if you have an impairment in your blood flow or scarring of the heart Echocardiogram: Uses an ultrasound to view the heart and assess its function Stress tests: Asks you to walk or jog on a treadmill to understand how your heart responds to stress during exercise Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA): A special type of CT scan of the heart that uses contrast dye and X-rays to see if there's anything blocking your arteries or to measure build-up of cholesterol Coronary angiography: Involves the use of catheters that your provider inserts into your blood vessels (typically in your leg or wrist) to take X-ray photos of the coronary arteries If you received a diagnosis for CAD, your healthcare team will help you figure out the treatment that is right for you. The most common treatment options include lifestyle changes and medications. Depending on how severe your condition is, your provider may sometimes recommend a surgical procedure. Your exact treatment plan will depend on a variety of factors like the symptoms you're experiencing, your age, and whether you have any other health conditions. In addition to treatment, some providers also recommend entering cardiac rehabilitation, which is a structured and supervised exercise program that teaches you how to exercise safely with CAD and advises you on how to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into your daily routine. Lifestyle Changes An important way to treat CAD is through healthy lifestyle choices. These may include: Eating a heart-healthy diet: Try an eating plan that is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, and low in saturated and trans fats, processed foods, salt, and sugars Get moving: Do your best to incorporate 150 minutes of moderate exercise or physical activity per week Sleep well: Get enough rest through the night to reduce stress levels and symptoms of CAD Avoid harmful substances: Limit your intake of alcohol and quit smoking—or reach out for care from your provider if you need support on how to make these changes Medications Your healthcare provider may prescribe one or more of the following medications to reduce your symptoms and prevent the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death: Statins and other medications that lower cholesterol Antiplatelet medications like Bayer (aspirin) Beta-blockers Calcium channel blockers Nitrates ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Medications that control high blood pressure such as Zestril (lisinopril) and high blood sugar such as Glucophage (metformin) Surgical Procedures If lifestyle changes and medication aren't improving your symptoms or slowing the progression of your disease, your provider may consider surgery. Some options for surgical procedures include: Cardiac catheterization: Uses X-rays and contrast dye to recognize where there are blockages in the artery. Once your healthcare provider identifies the affected arteries, they can use a catheter and tiny balloon to open up an artery that has become too narrow to restore blood flow. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG): A type of open heart surgery that bypasses blocked arteries by creating a new path for blood to flow to your heart. Prevention strategies for CAD look very similar to lifestyle changes you might have to make if you receive a diagnosis for the condition. As such, it's important to start practicing these habits early in order to prevent you from developing this heart disease. These lifestyle changes may include: Making meals that include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes Limiting foods that are heavily processed or include saturated fats, sugar, and salt Moving your body throughout the week Getting enough sleep at night Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use Researchers are also investigating the relationship between air pollution and heart health, but early studies show a strong association between the two. That said, avoid air pollution when possible, such as by not exercising outdoors when air quality levels are poor. Another important way to prevent CAD is to monitor and treat underlying conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol—all of which can increase your risk of heart disease. CAD is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Treatment for CAD can help lower your risk of these complications. But without proper treatment, your chances of experiencing the following complications may increase: CAD is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the U.S. Regardless of sex. Your prognosis (or, outlook) with CAD varies greatly depending on how severe your condition is and the symptoms you're experiencing. Living with heart disease can be especially challenging. Symptoms of CAD can impair your quality of life and make it difficult to perform physical activities. If you receive a diagnosis for CAD, treatments often include medications that may come with potential side effects. However, with support from your healthcare team and loved ones, you can learn to better manage this condition, reduce its symptoms, prevent your risk of complications, and improve your quality of life. Thankfully, research on CAD has advanced greatly and studies are still underway to learn about more treatments and prevention strategies that can reduce your risk of the condition and slow down the progression of the disease.Artery Plaque Directory
Plaque can build up in arteries when excess cholesterol and fat is in the blood. Arterial plaque decreases blood flow and increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how artery plaque is caused as well as symptoms, complications, treatments, and prevention.
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