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Coronary Heart Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of heart disease. The coronary arteries are the primary blood vessels that provide your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. When they become impaired, most often because of fatty deposits called plaques, it is referred to as coronary artery disease. CHD can lead to a heart attack.

  1. Uncontrollable Risks

    • The American Heart Association (AHA) says the majority of people who die from CHD are age 65 and older. Men are at greater risk of CHD than women. However, the risk for a woman goes up after menopause. If your parents suffered from heart disease, you are more likely to suffer from it as well.

    Modifiable Risks

    • The AHA says smokers are up to four times more likely to develop heart disease than nonsmokers. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and high stress in your life can contribute to coronary heart disease. Additional risk factors include diabetes, obesity and lack of physical exercise.

    Symptoms

    • Coronary heart disease can develop slowly over a period of several years, going practically unnoticed. As the fatty deposits continue to gather in your coronary arteries, you may begin to feel chest pain (angina). The pain is commonly set off by emotional or physical stress. You may also experience shortness of breath and fatigue if your heart is no longer able to pump an adequate supply of blood to meet the demands of your body.

    Diagnosing CHD

    • Testing devices used to diagnose CHD include electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiorgrams. An ECG takes note of electrical signals as they move through your heart. It can frequently detect signs of a current or previous heart attack. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of your heart, from which your doctor can determine whether all parts of the heart wall are fully contributing to your heart's pumping activity.

    Medications

    • Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-modifying medication, since they reduce the primary material that gets deposited on the coronary arteries. These drugs include statins, niacin and fibrates. Aspirin may help stop blockage of your coronary arteries, because it can lower your risk of blood clots. Another option includes beta blockers, which are often used to slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, decreasing your heart's demand for oxygen.

    Aggressive Treatment

    • Sometimes CHD demands more assertive treatment. Your doctor may recommend an angioplasty and stent placement (or percutaneous coronary revascularization). This process involves the use of a balloon-type device that is passed through a catheter to the blocked area, where it compresses the fatty deposits against your artery walls. A mesh tube (stent) is often placed in the artery to help it remain open. Coronary artery bypass surgery is open-heart surgery, and is usually reserved for cases that involve a number of narrowed coronary arteries.

    Recovery & Prevention

    • The same behaviors that can aid in the treatment and recovery of CHD can also help prevent problems from developing in the first place. These include managing stress, making healthy dietary changes and increasing physical activity. If you smoke, quit.

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