Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in the world, and requires attention from the patient and his family in all aspects of life. This article will shed light on the symptoms of coronary heart disease and methods of diagnosis and treatment. 

What is coronary heart disease 

Coronary heart disease, or so-called coronary artery disease, is a disease resulting from narrowing of the coronary arteries responsible for nourishing the heart muscle, which reduces the flow of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle, leading to the appearance of symptoms. 

Narrowing of the coronary arteries occurs due to atherosclerosis as a result of the accumulation of cholesterol and fat particles on the walls of the arteries. The opening of the arteries decreases, which reduces the amount of blood flowing through the arteries to feed the heart muscle to carry out its function of pumping blood efficiently to the rest of the body. 

Coronary artery disease is divided into: 

• Obstructive coronary artery disease

In this type, the coronary arteries become blocked by more than 50% or completely in the large arteries located on the surface of the heart muscle, leading to a heart attack or angina pectoris.

• Non-obstructive coronary artery disease

In this type, only narrowing of the large coronary arteries occurs due to the accumulation of cholesterol particles on the walls of the arteries, causing arteritis or atherosclerosis. 

• Coronary microvascular disease

In this type, the disease may occur through the accumulation of plaques on the walls of small blood vessels located in the heart muscle tissue.

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How does coronary heart disease affect blood flow to the heart?

As a result of the accumulation of fats and cholesterol on the walls of the coronary arteries, the arteries become narrowed or blocked, which reduces the space available for blood to pass through to supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients, resulting in coronary heart disease, which affects:

• The amount of blood reaching the heart, resulting in a lack of nourishment to the heart and the inability of the heart to function properly. 
• Weakness of the heart muscle due to lack of ischemia and the lack of nutrition reaching it. 
• Increased risk of heart attack due to complete blockage of one of the coronary arteries and death of part of the heart muscle. 

The main factors that cause narrowing of the coronary arteries 

It is the main cause of narrowed arteries Heart disease Coronary artery disease is the hardening of the arteries due to the accumulation of cholesterol particles, plaques, and other cells on the inner walls of the arteries, which leads to their narrowing or blockage, but there are some risk factors and diseases that increase the risk of infection, which are as follows:

• High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

• High blood pressure.
• Smoking
• Stress and nervousness. 
• Having a family history. 
• The presence of some congenital diseases.
• Physical inactivity and lack of exercise.
• Following an unhealthy diet.
• diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Lack of sleep.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Getting older
• Use of hormonal contraceptives for women.
• Early menopause in women (before the age of 40).
• Endometriosis.
• Having a history of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

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How to prevent coronary heart disease 

Since coronary heart disease occurs mainly as a result of practicing unhealthy daily habits over the long term, when avoiding these habits and replacing them with everything that enhances heart health, we are certain of coronary artery disease. The most important prevention tips include the following: 

• Follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits. 
• Avoid eating fatty foods and fast food. 
• Moderation in sugar intake, and controlling sugar levels within the normal level.
• Quit smoking.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and following a diet to reduce excess weight for those suffering from obesity.
• Monitor blood pressure measurements on a regular basis.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease

The severity of symptoms varies between patients Heart disease Corona virus, sometimes the patient may not suffer from any special symptoms at the beginning of the disease, and as the disease progresses, the symptoms begin to appear clearly, and they are as follows: 

• Feeling tired and general weak. 
• Feeling short of breath, especially when exerting yourself. 
• Heart rhythm disorder. 
• Dizziness and nausea. 
• Heartburn. 
• Pain in the chest area. 
• Cold sweats. 
• Sometimes feeling pain in the back and shoulder area.

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How to distinguish between angina and a heart attack

Angina pectoris and a seizure are related to coronary artery disease, and in both of them the patient feels severe chest pain that may come on suddenly after exertion, and the difference between them is summarized as follows:

• Angina

It occurs as a result of the heart not receiving enough oxygen to work properly as a result of narrowing of the coronary arteries, so it cannot supply the body with sufficient blood. 

It usually occurs after physical or emotional exertion, as the patient feels chest pain similar to pressure or heaviness that may spread to the arm, shoulder, or neck, along with shortness of breath and fatigue. 

The most important characteristic of angina is that the symptoms go away after taking a rest or taking nitrate medication. 

• Heart attack

It occurs due to the death of part of the heart muscle as a result of a complete blockage in one of the coronary arteries. Symptoms are characterized by the patient feeling severe pain that continues even with rest, shortness of breath, severe sweating, feeling nauseous and the desire to vomit, along with a feeling of dizziness that may lead to fainting. The pain of a heart attack does not go away even with rest or taking medications. 

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How to diagnose coronary heart disease 

Medical tests that help doctors diagnose coronary heart disease include:

• Physical examination and measuring blood pressure level.
• Blood tests, the most important of which are checking cholesterol levels and heart enzymes.
• Electrocardiogram, or electrocardiogram, to test the electrical activity of the heart. 
• Cardiac catheterization, to visualize the coronary arteries and identify areas of narrowing or blockage. 
• Magnetic resonance imaging, to provide detailed images of the heart and arteries and identify damaged parts.
• Computed tomography, to provide a detailed picture of the coronary arteries, is also used to evaluate the amount of calcium in the arteries.
• Stress test, to know the performance of the heart when exerting physical effort. 
• Coronary calcium scan, measures the amount of calcium in the walls of the coronary arteries.

FAQs

Is it possible to live a normal life with coronary heart disease?

With proper care, changing the lifestyle to a healthy one that suits the condition of the heart arteries, and adhering to the treatment plan and doctor’s directions, it is certainly possible to live a normal life with coronary heart disease. 

The most important tips and instructions that contribute to the patient living better with coronary heart disease include the following:

• Commitment to taking prescribed medications, and do not stop taking them or change doses without consulting a doctor.
• Avoid eating salty food to maintain blood pressure balance.
• Do not eat fatty foods to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
• Maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
• Exercising regularly, after consulting a doctor.
• Lose weight and get rid of obesity.
• Quit smoking.
• Follow a healthy, balanced diet, and increase sources of fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

What foods should be avoided to prevent coronary heart disease?

A heart patient must follow a special diet to support heart health, reduce stress on it, and avoid serious and life-threatening heart disease complications. A heart patient must focus his meals on important nutritional elements, such as lean protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fatty fish. On the other hand, he should stay away from foods that can worsen his health condition, such as:

• Foods rich in sodium; 
• Foods rich in sugars; 
• Foods rich in cholesterol because it increases the accumulation of plaques on the walls of the arteries, such as egg yolks, fried foods, and rich in saturated and trans fats. 

Is exercise safe for people with coronary heart disease?

Many heart patients are afraid to exercise for fear of doing any effort that weakens the heart, but in general, exercise is safe for heart patients and is even highly recommended, provided that you choose the appropriate exercise for your health condition and after consulting a doctor, as exercise works to:

• Strengthening the heart muscles and increasing the efficiency of blood pumping. 
• Improving blood circulation to the heart and reducing pressure on the heart. 
• Lowering blood pressure. 
• Reducing harmful cholesterol levels in the blood. 
• Improving blood sugar level. 
• Reducing nervous stress and tension. 

You must consult a doctor about the type of exercise that is appropriate for your heart condition. Usually, walking, swimming, or cycling is appropriate, but you must start slowly and gradually and stop immediately when you feel tired or short of breath. 

Can coronary heart disease be treated with medications only or does it require surgery?

The doctor decides the appropriate treatment option for a coronary artery patient depending on the stage of the disease, the severity of narrowing or blockage of the arteries, the patient’s age, his general health condition, suffering from any other diseases, and response to treatment. 

In simple or moderate cases of narrowing of the coronary arteries, the doctor begins treatment with medications, then observes the response of the disease. These medications include:

• Cholesterol-lowering medications.
• Medicines to treat high blood pressure.
• Fluidizing medications or blood clot preventers.
• Pain relievers, such as nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain.

If the disease does not respond to medications and if the blockages in the coronary arteries are severe, the doctor may need to resort to surgery, such as cardiac catheterization to remove the blockages and place stents, and coronary artery bypass surgery to create new paths for blood around the blocked areas.

In conclusion, despite the seriousness of coronary heart disease and its impact on the patient’s life, cooperation between the doctor and the patient and commitment to the appropriate treatment plan makes it easy to live with the disease. You can contact us at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and make reservations and inquiries on the numbers listed on the website. 

Sources and references: 

American Heart Association – Coronary Artery Disease

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors