Healthy Heart – Coronary Heart Disease

Arteriosclerotic heart disease or coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. For both women and men alike. Present are several factors which can rise this disease and some of the risks are based on family history and others are preventable. The main risk factors heart disease could include diabetes, physical inactivity, menopause in women, obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, infection that cause inflammation to the artery, high cholesterol level, and many more.

Coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease, is the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This condition results from the accumulation of fatty substance and plaque. While the coronary arteries narrow, the flow of blood to your heart slows down or stops resulting in chest pain, or angina, shortness of breath, or heart attack.

The symptoms for individuals with this condition could include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and heart attack. Angina, or squeezing pain in the chest, is the general symptom of arteriosclerotic heart disease. This is the result once your heart is not getting sufficient blood that carries oxygen and other nutrients which the heart and other parts of the body need to function correctly.

Shortness of breath is when your heart is too weak to function because of the insufficient supply of oxygen and other nutrients. If your heart is not pumping as much as necessary blood to circulate in the body, this is manifested in shortness of breath accompanied by swollen feet and ankles. In rare cases, heart attack is the first sign of arteriosclerotic heart disease. This happens while the plaque build- up or blood clot stops the flow of blood to the coronary artery to the heart. The pain related with a heart attack is often severe, lasts longer than angina, and will not easily go away by resting or taking nitroglycerin.

If you suspect that you might have an coronary heart disease, you must see a doctor right away. The symptoms you experienced will help your doctor to decide whether you will need to be tested for heart disease. If indeed you have heart disease, you will be given treatment. The treatment for coronary artery disease differs depending on the symptoms and how much the disease has developed. The common treatments include a change in your lifestyle, medications, and surgery. A change in lifestyle would mean that you have to have a proper diet which cannot increase your cholesterol level, get involved in physical activities, and lose weight.

To stay healthy and fit is not too much of a sacrifice if it’s for your health, and most importantly for you to live longer. There’s nothing more important than having a healthy and heart disease free life.