30 January 2012

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is also called coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become blocked with fatty substance called plaque. Fat, calcium, cholesterol and other materials in the blood forms the plaque and if it builds up on the inner wall of the arteries, it makes them to become narrow. This is called atherosclerosis and the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced. As a result, blood clots are formed in the narrowed artery and the supply of oxygen rich blood to a part of the heart is completely stopped.

Risks of coronary heart disease:
1. Angina: When the blood flow into the heart is decreased, the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the heart muscles is impaired. As a result, a discomfort, pressure, aching or painful feeling in the chest may occur (angina) and it is the main risk of coronary heart disease.
2. Heart attack: When the blood flow into a section of heart muscle is completely stopped, the heart attack occurs. So the part of the heart starts to die, but a quick treatment can restore the blood and can save the life.
Sometimes, this disease may even lead to death.












Causes for coronary heart disease:
High blood pressure, Diabetes, Kidney disease and obesity can increase the risk of heart disease. Excess stress, poor sleep, Lack of exercise, family history with heart problems, smoking habit and extra cholesterol in the body are the other risk factors for heart disease.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease:
Frequent pain in the upper areas of the body like chest, neck, back, shoulders, arms or stomach would be an indication of coronary heart disease. Difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeats, indigestion, dizziness and nausea are some other signs of this disease.

Preventive measures to avoid coronary heart disease:
Proper weight should be maintained by following healthy diet daily. The diet should be rich in whole grains, green vegetables, fruits and should contain lean proteins & low fat dairy products. Avoid excess salt, processed, junk & fatty foods. At least simple exercise should be performed for 30 minutes every day. Quit alcohol intake and smoking. Get enough sleep and the stress should be revealed by meditation.