|  | Conditions Treatments | Heart Disease

The Causes of Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease, is a serious condition in which a decreased supply of blood reaching the heart causes cardiovascular tissue to become irreparably damaged and to function incorrectly. Ischemic heart disease is caused by a number of factors, many of which are preventable with life-style changes.

  1. Definition

    • Ischemic heart disease describes the condition that results when the heart muscle receives an insufficient amount of blood to function properly. Since the blood supplies the heart tissue with oxygen, it is this lack of oxygen that causes portions of the heart to fail to work and, sometimes, to die. Untreated ischemic heart disease can result in heart attack or heart failure and is the leading cause of death in most Western countries.

    Life-style causes

    • The most common cause of ischemic heart disease is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis develops when the arteries responsible for blood flow to the heart become stiff, narrowed and sometimes blocked by the buildup of fatty deposits,or plaques, along the walls of the arteries. Atherosclerosis has been linked to smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

    Other causes

    • Ischemic heart disease is also thought to be caused in some individuals by inherited genes that predispose the individual to developing either heart disease or abnormally high cholesterol levels, thus encouraging the development of atherosclerosis. Medical research has also identified several viral infections that seem to be connected to the development of atherosclerosis, which, in turn, is the main cause of ischemic heart disease.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of ischemic heart disease differ for men and women. Men are most likely to experience sharp, persistent chest and arm pain, while women's symptoms include unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and an uncomfortable sensation of tightness in the chest, back and arms. Unfortunately, a large number of ischemic heart disease sufferers do not experience any clearly identifiable symptoms.

    Prevention

    • There are several key strategies to preventing the development of ischemic heart disease. These include eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and including plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; exercising; not smoking; maintaining a healthy weight; and drinking alcohol in moderation.

Heart Disease - Related Articles