Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is ischemia, and hence - hypoxia of the heart. It manifests as a characteristic pain in the chest. However, sometimes ischemic heart disease manifests itself in a rather unusual way. What are the causes of coronary artery disease? Dr. hab. Małgorzata Kloch cardiologist from SCM clinic in Krakow.

Coronary heart diseaseis ischemia, and therefore hypoxia of the heart muscle, which is caused by changes in the coronary arteries (which is why it is also calledcoronary artery disease ). They result in a narrowing or complete closure of the lumen of the coronary arteries. It is for this reason that blood has a difficult ability to flow through the vessels. This condition most often causes atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, i.e. the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques in them.

Causes of ischemic heart disease

Coronary heart diseasemay be genetic . It often affects people (especially men) over 45 years of age. The development of coronary heart disease may also be contributed by nIncorrect lifestyle and diet .

Factors causing ischemic disease can be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable.

Dr hab. Małgorzata Kloch, a cardiology specialist from the Krakow SCM clinic , explains that " non-modifiable , i.e. those that we have no influence on, include age, gender and genetic factors. This problem affects men almost twice as often , especially after the age of 45, than women, and in the case of women, people over 55 are at risk.

The factorsmodifiable , i.e. factors that can be limited by a proper lifestyle or medication use, include:

  • hypertension,
  • hypercholesterolemia,
  • diabetes,
  • overweight and obesity,
  • and excessive alcohol consumption,
  • smoking (both active and passive),
  • little physical activity
  • and stress ".

Symptomsischemic heart disease

The most common symptom of this disease is chest pain. The pain may be a pressure, burning, choking, or just chest discomfort. These ailments are located behind the breastbone and often radiate to the neck, jaw, left arm and even the back.

It happens that patients also locate these ailments in the epigastric area. Pain in these areas occurs especially after exercise, as a result of stress or being in the cold air.

"These aresynocardial ailmentse, which prove the need to extend cardiological diagnostics" - emphasizesDr. hab. Małgorzata Kloch .

Apart from chest pain, ischemic disease can also manifest itself in a rather unusual way. Other symptoms include :

  • shortness of breath,
  • chronic fatigue,
  • fainting,
  • and even nausea and vomiting.

Untreated coronary artery disease can also manifest itself as a heart attack. It is accompanied by a stabbing pain in the chest that does not go away even at rest. It is a life-threatening condition.

Diagnosis of ischemic heart disease

If you experience symptoms suggesting the development of ischemic heart disease, you should immediately visit your primary care physician or a cardiologist.

Dr hab. Małgorzata Klochemphasizes that in people with suspected ischemic heart disease "we perform resting electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (echo of the heart) and an exercise test, and if necessary, a 24-hour Holter ECG test. On the basis of this, the doctor deems it necessary, the patient may be referred for the diagnosis of invasive ischemic heart disease, i.e. coronary angiography ".

Coronary heart disease treatment

The treatment of ischemic heart disease consists in taking appropriate medications prescribed by a cardiologist.

In some cases, it is necessary to perform a coronary angioplasty, i.e. to open the coronary artery with a special balloon or stent, or to implant bypass lines - bypassing the stenosis.

Coronary heart disease prevention

It is obvious that we have no influence on the genetic predisposition of the disease. However, the development of ischemic heart disease can be largely prevented.

A change in lifestyle can help. The key is to quit smoking immediately, follow a low-fat diet, and be physically active.

It should be emphasized that the prevention of bothprimary and secondary (for people after a heart attack) bring measurable benefits.

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ExpertDr hab. Małgorzata Kloch

Cardiology specialistfrom SCM clinic in Krakow, Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow. In 2010, she was awarded the degree of doctor of medical sciences.

In 2014, she defended the title of specialist in cardiology. In 2022, she obtained the title of habilitated doctor.

Since January 2022, she has been associated with the Specialist Hospital of S. Żeromski in Krakow, where he deals with patients at the II Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

In his daily practice, he deals mainly with the diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

Category:

Cardiology