❤️ Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Coronary Heart Disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, occurs when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked, usually due to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup).
🧬 Causes:
- Atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in artery walls)
- Risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, age
🩺 Symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort (angina), often triggered by exertion or stress
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Heart attack symptoms (severe chest pain, sweating, nausea) in advanced disease
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Stress tests
- Echocardiogram
- Coronary angiography (imaging of coronary arteries)
💊 Treatment:
- Lifestyle changes: healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation
- Medications: antiplatelets (aspirin), statins, beta-blockers, nitrates, ACE inhibitors
- Procedures: angioplasty with stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery
⚠️ Complications:
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias
- Sudden cardiac death