Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries).
The fatty deposits, called atheroma, are made up of cholesterol and other waste substances.
The build-up of atheroma on the walls of the coronary arteries makes the arteries narrower, restricting the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This process is called Atherosclerosis . Your risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased if you:
Other risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include being obese or overweight and having a family history of CHD (the risk is increased if you have a male relative under the age of 55, or a female relative under 65,with CHD).
Cholesterol is a fat made by the liver from the saturated fat in your diet. Cholesterol is essential for healthy cells, but too much in the blood can lead to CHD.
Cholesterol is carried in the bloodstream by molecules called lipoproteins. There are several different types of lipoproteins, but two of the main ones are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
LDL, often referred to as "bad cholesterol", takes cholesterol from the liver and delivers it to cells. LDL cholesterol tends to build up on the walls of the coronary arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
HDL, often referred to as"good cholesterol", carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it's broken down or passed from the body as a waste product.
In the UK, the government recommends that total cholesterol levels should be:
Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) should be:
An ideal level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is above 1mmol/L.A lower level of HDL can increase your risk of heart disease.
Your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL may also be calculated. This is your total cholesterol level divided by your HDL level. Generally, this ratio should be below four because a higher ratio increases your risk of heart disease.
Your:
Blood pressure is measured in terms of millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).
When you have your blood pressure measured, the systolic pressure is the first, higher number to be recorded. The diastolic pressure is the second, lower number to be recorded.
High blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or more, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or more.
Both nicotine and carbon monoxide (from the smoke) put a strain on the heart by making it work faster. They also increase your risk of blood clots .
Other chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage the lining of your coronary arteries, leading to furring of the arteries. If you smoke, you increase your risk of developing heart disease by 24%.
A high blood sugar level doesn't directly increase your risk of developing CHD, but it may lead to diabetes , which can more than double your risk of developing CHD.
Diabetes can lead to CHD because it may cause the lining of blood vessels to become thicker, which can restrict blood flow.
A thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein or artery. If a thrombosis occurs in a coronary artery (coronary thrombosis), it will cause the artery to narrow, preventing the blood supply from reaching the heart muscle. This increases your chance of having a heart attack .
A coronary thrombosis usually happens at the same place the atherosclerosis is forming.
Find out about coronary heart disease, which is a major cause of death both in the UK and worldwide. It's responsible for more than 73,000 deaths in the UK each year.
The most common symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) are chest pain (angina) and a heart attack. You can also experience other symptoms, such as palpitations and unusual breathlessness...
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries). Your risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased if you; smoke, have high blood pressure, etc.
Classification of heart diseases
If your doctor thinks you may be at risk of developing CHD, they may carry out a risk assessment for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction or stroke . This may be carried out as part of a health check.
Although coronary heart disease (CHD) cannot be cured, treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of further problems. If you have been diagnosed with CHD, you can reduce your risk of further episodes by making simple lifestyle changes.
After having heart surgery or problems like a heart attack, it is possible to resume a normal life. If you have heart surgery, a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team may visit you in hospital to give you information about your condition and the procedure you are having.
There are several ways you can help lower your risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), such as reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You should limit the amount of salt you eat to no more than 6g (0.2oz) a day, as too much salt will increase your blood pressure.
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