What Are The Main Causes Of Ischemic Heart Disease?
What Are The Main Causes Of Ischemic Heart Disease?
Introduction
Commonly known as coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease can put a person at risk of chest pain, heart attacks and other complications. The main causes of ischemic heart disease are accumulation of plaques in the coronary arteries, that cause reduced flow of blood or blockage in flow of blood. This is the reason for symptoms and complications. Let us take a quick look at the main reasons behind the condition.
- Buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries narrows the arteries, reducing or blocking flow of blood to the heart.
- Hypertension is known to damage the arteries, exposing the arteries to risk of plaque buildup.
- High levels of LDL cholesterol is also a reason for plaque build-up in the arteries. In a similar manner, low levels of HDL cholesterol will reduce the body’s ability to remove excess cholesterol.
- Smoking is known to damage blood vessels, contributing to accumulation of plaque, and increases blood pressure, increasing risk levels.
- High levels of blood sugar bring about damage to the arteries while exposing the person to risk of atherosclerosis.
- When body weight increases, it is increases blood pressure, cholesterol levels, while exposing to risk of diabetes. All of these conditions are known to contribute to risk of IHD.
- An absence of sufficient physical activity causes obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. All of these conditions are known risk factors.
- A diet that is rich in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sugars may increase the risk of obesity. This indirectly contributes to risk of heart disease.
- A patient with a family history of heart disease may be at higher risk of heart disease at a young age.
10. Age, gender are also risk factors with men at higher risk than women before menopause. Post menopause, women are at increased risk, either similar to more than that of men.
Overview Of Acynotic Heart Disease
As part of understanding causes of ischemic heart disease, here is a look at a congenital condition commonly known as acyanotic heart disease. This refers to a category of congenital heart defects that do not usually cause cyanosis, the bluish appearance of the skin, as a result of low oxygen levels. Before we take a look at the overview, it is important to note that presently genetic testing facilities are available in Tamilnadu. These advanced testing facilities help in determining presence of inherited conditions or congenital defects. This helps in predicting future risk of the condition, thereby ensuring timely and appropriate treatment.
The most common type of acyanotic heart defects includes the left-to-right defects. In this scenario, the mixing of oxygen-rich blood from the left side with blood on the right side, causes increased blood flow to the lungs.
Commonly Reported Symptoms Of Acyanotic Heart Disease
The following range of symptoms may be experienced, and this depends on the type of defect and its intensity.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Overall tiredness.
- Abnormal heart sound
- Lesser than common growth and weight gain among infants
- Repetitive respiratory infections.
- Sweating in infants, mainly when breastfeeding.
Are There Possibilities Of Reversing Heart Disease?
As part of efforts to learn causes of ischemic heart disease, let us look at the possibilities of reversing heart disease. Certain aspects of heart disease can be reversed, especially in the early stages. Advanced heart disease will result in permanent structural damage, but changes to lifestyle, medication regimen, and surgical procedures can help manage the condition. This could either slow down, stop, or even reverse the effects of certain heart diseases.
- Changes to lifestyle
A heart-healthy diet, for instance, the Mediterranean diet, can reverse the progression of buildup of plaque in the arteries. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, this diet helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.
Routine physical activity helps to strengthen the heart muscle, and improves flow of blood. This brings down blood pressure levels. Exercises could include aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming.
Managing weight by reducing modest amounts of weight can significantly bring down the workload of the heart. Weight reduction improves blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.
Smoking is a strong contributor to risk and quitting is an highly effective option to improve heart health. Within a short span after quitting, the risk of heart disease from smoking drops considerably, this progresses over time.
- Medication
The use of medicines like statins lower cholesterol levels and reduce the amount of buildup of plaque in arteries. This has the effect of slowing or partially reversing atherosclerosis.
The use of medicines for lowering blood pressure levels prevent further damage to the arteries. This allows the heart to function more efficiently.
Drugs likes antiplatelets or blood thinners prevent formation of blood clots. This reduces the risk of heart attacks in people with coronary artery disease.
- Procedures
Specialist procedures like angioplasty and placement of stent can open up blocked arteries. This will restore flow of blood to the heart and also reduce symptoms.
Coronary artery bypass surgery allows blood to flow around blocked arteries by creating new pathways. This improves flow of blood to the heart muscle.
- Specially designed holistic intensive programs
Certain specially designed programs focus on plant-based diets, fitness regimen, and stress management. Additionally, the formation of a community with support groups, has helped many members achieve promising results in reversing buildup of plaque. This has greatly helped people with coronary artery disease.
Limitations of attempts in reversing heart disease
It is important to note that reversing heart disease is technically possible to a certain extent, but only in some conditions. Examples of people achieving significant improvements, and a complete reversal of heart disease is always limited to certain types of heart disease. This many not be always possible in patients with advanced stages of heart disease.
After damage to heart tissue, it is not possible to regenerate the scarred portions. This occurs after an heart attack. However, by combing the right lifestyle changes and medications, further damage can be prevented.
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Shetty B s a cardiologist in Chennai, with extensive experience in the field. He completed his MBBS from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by an MD in General Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU).