Coronary Artery Disease -What You Need to Know
Coronary Artery Disease is commonly known as Heart Disease or Atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries. These plaques are formed by fats and cause the arteries to harden. The deposits are made of fat that came from the food that we eat. These fat deposits narrow the arteries and impede circulation. The narrowing of the arteries also causes high blood pressure because the body tries to compensate for the inadequate supply of blood throughout the system.
Atheromas are very dangerous because they impede blood circulation to the heart. We all know that the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. With the heart muscles receiving less oxygen rich blood and increased cardiac workload, they will surely function less and will cause a patient to experience pain. The pain experienced by the patient is medically termed angina.
Angina is the pain that patients with heart disease dread. Not enough oxygen reaches the heart muscles. The heart muscles, just like any other muscle, need oxygen to function properly. Oxygen is transported through the bloodstream. Because of the fat deposits, less supply of blood reaches the heart. Angina now occurs. It is described as a stabbing chest pain that can also be felt at the back and extremities.
A heart attack is inevitable after an angina attack. Angina is like the alarm for an upcoming heart attack. The heart fails to function because it lacks the supply of oxygen needed for its optimum functioning. Heart muscles become necrotic or dead and malfunction because of the prolonged inadequacy in the supply of oxygen rich blood.
What causes coronary artery disease? That is probably the question that is in your mind right now. Actually, a lot of risk factors can be associated to heart disease. If one of your family members is diagnosed with coronary artery disease, your risk of having it is greater. If you are also a chain smoker or you often inhale second-hand smoke, you will also have a higher chance of developing coronary artery disease.
People with less activity or those who are just sitting and watching television or doing nothing all day are also very prone to develop coronary heart disease. Decreased physical activity for a long period of time causes the muscles to become weak and unable to function properly. With a weak heart muscle, it can no longer pump enough blood and therefore has to do some extra work. This extra work will cause fatigue to the heart, causing it to fail.
For those who are obese or overweight, they are very prone to develop heart disease. Coronary artery disease is formed because of fat deposits. An obese person has a lot of excess fat in the body that can predispose that person to developing coronary artery disease.
All in all, heart disease is caused by living an inappropriate lifestyle. Keep in mind that no matter how rich you are, it is not an excuse for you not to work. Exercise should also be a regular habit so that your muscles will be tougher and can reach their optimum functioning.
