Ischemic Heart Disease: A Major Health Challenge

Introduction

Ischemic heart disease is a heart problem that is caused due to the narrow heart arteries. When arteries become narrowed, there is a reduction in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This disease causes discomfort in the heart.

This disease is also known as coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is very common in the United States and is also one of the major causes of deaths worldwide. The problem of Ischemic heart disease develops when particles of cholesterol start to accumulate on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

This deposit of cholesterol particles is known as plaque. The plaque accumulates in the arteries, makes it narrow and blocks the flow of blood. Due to a decrease in the blood flow, there is a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscles; which makes it weak.

How many people are affected by Ischemic Heart Disease?

Ischemic heart disease is a common disease or illness that affects a major part of the population and the case of ischemic heart disease can be found usually in both developed and developing countries.

According to some research done in the United States, it is found that around 15.4 million people who are aged over 20 years have been affected by this disease.

In Europe, around 47% of all deaths are caused due to this disease and according to data analysed from the United States, 4 million deaths per year happen due to this disease.

Normally the risk of ischemic heart disease increases with the age and it is found that men are at greater risk of this disease when compared to women. The chance of men and women who are over the age of 60 years are twice or three times more at risk compared to people below the age of 60 years.

When this disease occurs in men it is known as infarction (which commonly known as a heart attack) and in women, it is known as angina pectoris.

Now with the changing trends in developed countries, healthier lifestyles and improved treatment has decreased the number of people getting ischemic heart disease. But in the case of developing nations, there is an increase in the death toll due to this disease.

This disease is becoming one of the major reasons behind the deaths of adults in both developed and developing countries.

Causes of Ischemic Heart Disease

The main reason for ischemic heart disease is due to arteriosclerosis. It causes chronic inflammation of the arteries that happens due to the hardening of plaque on the wall of arteries. This also leads to an increase in the risk of thrombus formation.

Usually, ischemic heart disease develops slowly since the plaque takes time to build up. It can also occur quickly if an artery is suddenly blocked. Ischemic heart disease frequently occurs in people who have blood clots, atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm or other illnesses that can cause increased demand for oxygen.

Complications of Ischemic Heart Disease

Some complications related to ischemic heart disease that can happen are mentioned below.

• Heart Damage

• Chronic Angina

• Congestive Heart Failure

• Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)

• Arrhythmia

What is the difference between Angina Pectoris and an Infarction?Angina Pectoris

This happens when a coronary artery is obstructed, when the passway gets reduced to 75%. Due to this, there is a lack of blood supply to the heart and that causes chest pain. In some cases, if the ischemic is short or mildly lived then the myocardium cells survive the event.

Heart Attack (Myocardial infarction)

In this health condition; if there is a more severe or long-lasting lack of oxygen, then some of the heart cells die which is also known as necrosis or myocardial infarction. The symptoms may be very similar but in case of pain, there is typically more intense or sustained pain.

What Risk Factors are Associated with Ischemic Heart Disease?

You can find a number of risk factors that can be the main reason or increase the risk of developing ischemic heart disease. There is no proper theory that says people with these risk factors will get ischemic heart disease. The following are some of the risk factors that can cause ischemic heart disease.

1. Physical inactivity
2. Obesity
3. Diabetes
4. High blood pressure
5. High blood cholesterol
6. Family history of heart disease
7. Smoking and use of other tobacco products.

How to Reduce the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease?

The following are the steps you can follow to lower your risk of getting ischemic heart disease.

• Reduce the level of cholesterol and fat in your diet.

• Maintain your cholesterol at a healthy level.

• If you have diabetes; then manage it carefully.

• Do regular workout and physical activities.

• Try to maintain normal blood pressure.

• Try to quit smoking and using other tobacco products.

Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease

According to some research done on ischemic heart disease, it is found that there are two ways to treat this health disorder. These two ways of treating ischemic heart disease are mentioned below.

1. Treating the Ischemic Heart Disease by Medications

The use of drug therapy is common when it comes to treating ischemic heart disease. The drug therapy includes.

• Use of statins which helps in lowering the cholesterol levels.

• Nitrates are an efficient medication that helps in dilating the blood vessels.

• The use of ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors which relaxes the blood vessels to lower the blood pressure.

• Use of Anti Ischemic agents, for example ranolazine (Ranexa).

There are a variety of medications available to treat ischemic heart disease and it varies according to the situation and guidance provided by health care providers. You can contact them to select the right medication for you.

2. Treating Ischemic Heart Disease by Surgical Procedures

This is another way of treating this disease. The surgical procedure for treating ischemic heart disease includes two methods.

1. The procedure of removing the plaque from arteries and restoring the blood flow of the clogged arteries is known as angioplasty and stent placement.
2. The second procedure is known as a coronary artery bypass graft. It is a method by which the blood flow to the heart is restored by using transplanted arteries.

Conclusion

People all around the world are facing different types of health problems in this modern world. Now with modernization, there are some health-related problems that are also arising.

Nowadays every activity has become easy to do; which has in turn made people lazy and less active. All this inactiveness in people makes them unhealthy and causes health disorders like Ischemic heart disease. It's a great idea to have a BP(Blood pressure) monitor at home to keep track of your BP.

This disease is also known as the most common type of disease that usually occurs to a person with a lazy lifestyle. Be active and maintain a balanced lifestyle for a healthy life.

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine!

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