Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is the most common type of heart disease that exists today. In fact, in some countries, it is the leading cause of death for both women and men. Without a doubt, this disease represents an important risk for the general population.
If you want to find out what this disease is and its causes, keep reading this article. Below, we explain everything you need to know and how to prevent the disease.
What is coronary artery disease?
Simply put, coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. Its main characteristic is the difficulty of blood vessels to supply blood to the heart and pump it.
In this way, the necessary oxygen and nutrients do not reach the cardiac muscle correctly.
En altres paraules, la simptomatologia associada amb la malaltia, apareix a partir del moment que el cor no reb la sang oxigenada necessària. When someone suffers from this type of disease, blood flow is significantly reduced. Because of this, almost all those affected have chest pain and shortness of breath.
When the obstruction occurs completely, it is possible to suffer a heart attack. Even so, this pathology does not appear from one moment to the next. Its development is progressive. In fact, almost all people are unaware of the symptoms until there is serious damage. This is a key reason to lead a healthier lifestyle and prevent this and other diseases.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease
It is typical that, at the beginning, the symptoms are almost undetectable. Initially, there is a feeling of strong heartbeats when walking or doing some types of physical activity. However, this is a relatively common symptom that, in most cases, is not caused by any disease. That is why there are other important symptoms that must be taken into account when confirming the disease.
- Chest pain: pressure or chest pain are common with these types of illnesses. This pain occurs more frequently in the middle or left side of the chest. The pain is not permanent. In the case of women, the pain is more intense and can be felt in the neck or back.
- Shortness of breath: It is possible to feel that you cannot breathe normally.
- Fatigue: when walking or doing some physical activity, it is common to feel excessive fatigue very quickly.
- Heart attack: If your arteries are completely blocked, you can have a heart attack at any time. It should be taken into account that women have different symptoms than men, such as pain in the jaw or neck. In fact, there are attacks that do not cause symptoms in men and also not in women.
Main causes of coronary artery disease
La malaltia de les artèries coronàries s’inicía d’a poc a poc, com ja hem dit abans. This process begins with the accumulation of cholesterol, fat and other elements in the arteries of the heart. This is called atherosclerosis.
All accumulated substances are defined as plaque. The plaque causes the arterial passages to become narrow. Then comes the problem of blood flow. In some cases, the plaque bursts and produces blood clots.
In addition to the increase in cholesterol, this condition attacks the coronary arteries. The common causes that favor it are:
- High blood pressure: when the pressure is not controlled, it is typical for the arteries to harden. Then, what is known as arterial stiffness happens. This factor does not allow the blood flow to be adequate.
- Diabetes or insulin resistance: Like many other conditions, diabetes is a high-risk disease. Aquest cas no és excepcional doncs la diabetis afavoreix l’aparició de la malaltia de les artèries coronàries. For example, in the case of type II diabetes, obesity is an important risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease.
- Smoking: smoking is something that everyone should avoid as soon as possible. Smoking is harmful to the whole body in general. People addicted to tobacco are more likely to suffer from this disease, in addition to so many others.
- Lack of exercise: physical activity is vital to enjoying good health. Being sedentary is related to the development of different pathologies.
- Unhealthy diet: consuming foods with large amounts of fat, sugar and salt increases the risk of heart disease. Likewise, the fact of drinking alcoholic beverages in excess also favors the appearance of this disease.
- Estrès: l’estrès constant fa mal a les artèries. That’s why it’s important to be as relaxed as possible and seek professional help when stress is part of our everyday life.
- Family background: when you have a family history of heart conditions, it is possible that you will also suffer from some heart-related disease over time. The risk is greater when the relative is closer, for example, if it is one of the parents.
- Age: the passage of time can also take its toll on our health. As we get older, our bodies stop working the same way they did when we were young. That is why it is common to develop some diseases.
- Sexe: en general, els homes tenen un risc més alt de tenir la malaltia de les artèries coronàries. However, the risk in the female population increases after menopause.
- Overweight: being overweight is generally harmful to health. Obesity can promote the appearance of multiple diseases, many of them heart.
In addition to this, there are other factors that can generate the appearance of this disease, such as high triglycerides, chronic kidney disease, homocysteine, preeclampsia, complications during pregnancy, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatic arthritis, among others.
Treatment of coronary artery disease
The treatment of this pathology involves radical changes in lifestyle. However, many people also need surgical interventions and medication.
- Medicines: actualment, hi ha molts medicaments fets per tractar la malaltia de les artèries coronàries. Some of the most common are cholesterol medications, aspirin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitroglycerin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, ranolazine, among others.
- Surgical interventions and other procedures: in some cases, the level of damage requires a much more invasive process. Some options are coronary angioplasty and stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, etc.
How to prevent coronary artery disease?
In this case, it is strongly recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle. De fet, d’aquesta manera, no només és possible evitar la malaltia de les artèries coronàries, sinò també moltes altres. Among other habits, it is recommended not to smoke, regulate blood pressure, practice regular exercise, maintain an appropriate weight, eat a balanced and healthy diet and reduce stress levels.
When is it necessary to visit the doctor?
Des de que els primers símptomes apareixen, és necessari assistir amb un expert en la matèria per prevenir el desenvolupament de la malaltia. If you need emergency advice, you can also contact us via the phone numbers 872 21 75 91 and +34 650 489 884 .