Arteriosclerotic coronary disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the term used for ailments related to the narrowing of the arteries and blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. According to the American Heart Association, the risk of developing arteriosclerotic coronary disease after the age of 40 years rises considerably and is statistically put at 32 percent for women and 49 percent for men.
Causes
There is no exact reason why arteriosclerosis really happens but it is for sure that damage to the inner lining of the arteries due to build up of LDL and low HDL cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and smoking, leads to thickening of arterial wall. This leads to an abnormal deposit of fat, debris and cells into the inner wall, causing hardening over a period of time. There can be one or multiple constrictions and hardening in any of the coronary arteries. With increasing constricted blood flow, the heart muscles are deprived of oxygen and symptoms of coronary disease, especially angina, surface.
Complications
Chances of heart attack arise when there is a constant demand for oxygenated blood and the demand is not met. Development of blood clots is high in portions where the artery has narrowing and leads to complete obstruction, causing a heart attack that leads to irreversible heart muscle damage.
Symptoms
Most of the symptoms occur due to exertion as the heart muscles require more nutrients and oxygen that are not met due to the blockage in the coronary blood vessel. The sudden heart attack is one of the most fatal signs of coronary disease but other than that chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, sweating and left back and arm pain, dizziness, palpitations, weakness, fainting spells and irregular heart beat are some of the symptoms that accompany arteriosclerotic coronary disease.
Diagnosis
Most people are caught unaware of the disease and the first symptom is usually a heart attack. However, the usual tests include blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram) and a chest X-ray to rule out fluid in the lungs. More specific tests are done if the preliminary tests show arteriosclerotic coronary disease. Echo cardiogram, angiography and TMT (Treadmill test) are the secondary diagnostic tests done to find out the intensity and amount of narrowing of the blood vessels.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are best recommended to supplement the prescriptions drugs for prevention and lowering the risk of arteriosclerotic coronary disease. Required lifestyle changes are limiting fat intake, decreasing alcohol intake and quitting smoking. Lowering fat intake through a healthy and well balanced diet is extremely important for avoiding the build up of plaque. The recommended level of fat intake per day is 60 grams or less.
Physical exercise is important to reduce the hypertension and cholesterol. Lowering LDL cholesterol which builds up inside the coronary arteries leading to arteriosclerosis is imperative to stop the heart disease from escalating. A minimum of 30 minutes exercise pattern is recommended by the American Heart Association three to five times a week.
