Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), involves the reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to build-up of plaque in the arteries of the heart. It is one of the main causes of death globally.

Causes

The primary cause of CHD is atherosclerosis, a process of progressive buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This process begins with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery, often as a result of factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or an inflammatory condition.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of CHD is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Other symptoms of CHD include shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness or dizziness, nausea, and sweating.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CHD involves a review of the patient's medical history, a physical examination and further diagnostic tests. These tests may include electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, exercise stress test, nuclear stress test, and coronary angiogram.

Treatment

Treatment for CHD usually involves lifestyle changes and if necessary, drugs and certain medical procedures. Lifestyle changes can include eating a healthier diet, getting more exercise, and quitting smoking. Medications can be used to treat CHD including cholesterol-modifying medications, aspirin, beta blockers, nitroglycerin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

Prevention

Prevention of CHD is about managing the risk factors that lead to coronary artery disease. This includes controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing alcohol consumption.

See also

• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack
• Angina pectoris
• Atherosclerosis