Short-Term Prognosis of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also known as coronary artery disease, it occurs when there is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This narrowing can cause restricted blood flow and cause muscle and tissue damage, along with coronary heart disease. Early detection and treatment are paramount to a positive prognosis.

Causes

• Atherosclerosis is the main cause of coronary heart disease. When plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries, it causes them to narrow. Once the arteries begin to narrow, the blood flow is restricted and affects the body's ability to move blood through your heart. This restriction is what causes some of the main symptoms of coronary heart disease.

Risk Factors

• There are numerous risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. Lifestyle behaviors that increase your chances of developing coronary heart disease include: smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, poor diet and alcohol/drug abuse. Hereditary factors also play a role as does having diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a range of other existing conditions. Typically, men in their 40s are in the high risk category, while women have a higher risk of developing the conditions following menopause.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of coronary heart disease include: chest pain and discomfort, also known as angina, shortness of breath, and fatigue with exertion. If you experience any of these signs, contact a physician immediately. Early detection of coronary heart disease is key to the ability to successfully treat and manage the condition.

Treatments

• Once coronary heart disease has been diagnosed, your doctor will present you with treatment options. For early-stage coronary heart disease, lifestyle changes, along with daily doses of aspirin, are recommended to help slow the progression of the disease. Additional changes include reducing salt intake, eating a healthy diet, smoking cessation and regular exercise. It's also important to control your blood sugar, if you are diabetic. For advanced coronary heart disease, surgery may be recommended. Surgical options may include angioplasty, where a stent is inserted to keep the vessel open, or bypass surgery.

Prognosis

• Short-term prognosis of coronary heart disease depends upon the severity of the condition and the stage in which it was detected. If caught early, lifestyle changes may be enough to keep the disease in check. If these changes are implemented, the disease can be managed without surgery and further progression. For those with more advanced cases, in which surgery is recommended, short term prognosis is based on the person's ability to recover from such a major operation.