CHD

• Coronary heart disease is when the blood vessels supplying the heart with oxygen is narrowed or blocked due to fatty material
• eventually, arteries may become so narrow that they cannot get enough blood to the heart
• angina is the name given for chest pain or an uncomfortable feeling that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscles is reduced
• symptoms

  • shortness of breath
  • feeling faint
  • feeling sick
• treatments

  • medications
  • coronary angioplasty
  • heart bypass surgery
• coronary angioplasty

  • narrow flexible tube is placed into the wrist or groin and pushed up to the coronary artery
  • small balloon at the end of the tube is blown to widen the narrowed part of the artery
  • tiny drill might be used if the balloon can’t pass through it
• heart bypass

  • a blood vessel is removed and attached between the aorta and a point along the coronary artery
  • New blood vessel is known as a graft
• Causes

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Family history
  • Age
• Preventing CHD

  • healthy diet
  • physically active
  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • reducing alcohol and smoking intake
• diagnosis

  • electrocardiogram
  • echocardiogram
  • chest x-ray
  • blood tests
  • MRI scans