Clinical Aspects of Coronary Artery Disease
Introduction
Coronary artery disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Plaque causes a narrowing or blockage that could result in a heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort and shortness of breath. Treatments include lifestyle changes and medications that target your risk factors and/or possibly surgery.
Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of your coronary arteries usually caused by the buildup of fatty material called plaque. Coronary artery disease is also called coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease and heart disease.
Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle to keep it pumping. The coronary arteries are directly on top of your heart muscle. You have four main coronary arteries: The right coronary artery, the left coronary artery, the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery.
Causes
Coronary artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery, sometimes as early as childhood. The damage may be caused by various factors, including: Smoking, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Diabetes or insulin resistance, Not being active (sedentary lifestyle). Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, fatty deposits (plaque) made of cholesterol and other cellular waste products tend to collect at the site of injury. This process is called atherosclerosis. If the plaque surface breaks or ruptures, blood cells called platelets clump together at the site to try to repair the artery. This clump can block the artery, leading to a heart attack.
Overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and smoking tobacco are risk factors for CAD. A family history of heart disease also increases your risk for CAD, especially a family history of having heart disease at an early age (50 or younger). To find out your risk for CAD, your health care team may measure your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care. In these people, cardiac rehab can help improve quality of life and can help prevent another cardiac event. Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes Physical activity, Education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking, Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health. A team of people may help you through cardiac rehab, including your health care team, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and counselors or mental health professionals.
It’s important to know your heart disease symptoms and what causes them. Call your doctor if you feel new symptoms or if the ones you’re used to become more frequent or severe. Call 911 if you or someone you’re with has chest pain, especially when it comes with things like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, nausea, or sweating. If you’re taking nitroglycerin for chest pain, call 911 if you’re still feeling pain after two doses (at 5-minute intervals) or after 15 minutes.
The Journal of “Current Research: Cardiology” is using Editorial Tracking System to maintain quality and transparency to the author in the peer-review process. Review processing will be performed by the editorial board members of the Journal of “Current Research: Cardiology” or by Reviewers (outside experts in the field). Two independent reviewer’s approval (Minimum reviewer’s approval) followed by editor approval is obligatory for acceptance of any manuscript excluding an editorial.
Regards
Mary Wilson
Editorial office
Current Research: Cardiology