What is Ischemic Heart Disease? What you should know about it?
Introduction
Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a disorder in which the heart does not get adequate oxygen because of a lack of blood supply. As a result, you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and a heart attack. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque (fatty material and cells) in the walls of the coronary arteries that feed blood to the heart, is the most prevalent cause of IHD. Other variables that can influence blood flow to the heart include increased oxygen demand, coronary artery spasm, or blood clots.
Risk elements
Age, gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and stress are all risk factors for IHD. A healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, managing stress, and maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol levels is essential for preventing or lowering the risk of IHD. Medications may be provided to reduce the risk of blood clots or to increase blood flow.
The intensity and frequency of the symptoms, the depth of the plaque buildup, and the patient's overall health all influence IHD treatment. The primary goals of treatment are to alleviate symptoms, improve blood flow to the heart, and avoid consequences such as a heart attack or heart failure. Some of the most frequent therapies for IHD include:
Medications
Anti-anginal drugs (such as nitrates, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers) dilate the coronary arteries and reduce heart workload; anti-platelet drugs (such as aspirin or clopidogrel) prevent blood clots from forming; statins lower cholesterol levels; and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) lower blood pressure and protect the heart. Medications may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, bleeding, or allergic reactions.
Revascularization
By bypassing or opening up the clogged coronary arteries, this surgery restores blood flow to the heart. Revascularization is classified into two types: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CABG entails connecting a healthy blood vessel from another region of the body to the coronary artery above and below the obstruction. A thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a major artery in the groyne or arm and guided to the blocked coronary artery. To compress the plaque against the artery wall, a balloon at the catheter's tip is inflated. To keep the artery open, a metal mesh called a stent may be implanted. In some IHD patients, revascularization may improve symptoms, quality of life, and survival. It does, however, carry dangers such as bleeding, infection, stroke, renal damage, and restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery).
Changes in lifestyle
Following a heart-healthy diet, exercising frequently, stopping smoking, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed are all examples. Changes in lifestyle can help prevent or delay the progression of IHD, reducing the need for revascularization or hospitalisation.
Conclusion
Ischaemic Heart Disease is a terrible ailment that affects millions of people all over the world. It can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, and even a heart attack. It is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart as a result of plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Age, gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and stress are all risk factors for IHD. Medication, revascularization procedures, and lifestyle changes are among the therapy options for IHD. Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed is the best strategy to prevent or manage IHD.
