Santa Fe Suffers from Heart Disease
Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is the most common type of heart disease and refers to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in your arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. Heart Disease Santa Fe. In some cases, this buildup causes a restriction of blood flow to your heart and can lead to chest pain or even heart attack. While cardiac arrest can occur at any age, it’s more common in older individuals and often occurs before any symptoms are noticeable. Treatment options depend on the type of CAD you have but may include coronary angioplasty, stenting or surgery to widen the coronary arteries.
What Is Coronary Artery Blockage?
Coronary artery blockage is when one or more of the coronary arteries becomes blocked. Heart Disease Santa Fe. This blockage can be caused by a buildup of plaque and fatty deposits on the artery walls. When this happens, the heart muscle doesn’t get the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function properly. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or a cold sweat. If the blockage is severe, it can cause a heart attack.
Myths About Coronary Artery Blockage
One of the most common myths about coronary artery blockage is that it only occurs in people who are overweight or have high cholesterol. However, this isn’t always the case. People of all sizes and shapes can develop blockages in their coronary arteries. Other risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease. Blockages can also occur in people who seem to be healthy otherwise.
Causes Of Coronary Artery Blockage
The most common cause of coronary artery blockage is atherosclerosis. Heart Disease Santa Fe. This is a condition where plaque builds up on the artery walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the heart. Other causes include: heart attack, aneurysm, arteritis, and angina. Symptoms of coronary artery blockage include: light-headedness, or a cold sweat. Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder. Shortness of breath., nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), Chest pain or discomfort (angina) Weakness If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away as they could be signs of a heart attack.
Who Is At Risk Of Getting Coronary Artery Blockage?
The main risk factor for coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Other risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and family history. Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include: chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder, and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
How To Lower Your Chances Of Having A Heart Attack
If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do for your heart is to quit. Heart Disease Santa Fe. Smoking damages your blood vessels and makes it harder for your heart to pump blood.
Cut down on saturated fats and sugar. Eating too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol levels and eating too much sugar can lead to obesity, both of which increase your risk of heart disease.
Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens your heart muscle and helps to keep your weight down.
Limit your alcohol intake. Drinking too much alcohol can damage your heart muscle.
Manage your stress levels. Stress can cause high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to heart disease.
Know your family history.
Ways To Keep Yourself Healthy During Holidays
1. Get regular exercise. It’s important to get your heart pumping on a regular basis, and this is especially true during the holiday season when we tend to be more sedentary. Heart Disease Santa Fe. A brisk walk around the block or a session at the gym will do wonders for your cardiovascular health.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Holiday meals are often loaded with fat and calories, so it’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating. Try to fill up on fruits and vegetables, and limit your intake of fatty meats and sugary desserts.
3. Don’t smoke. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your heart, so if you smoke, now is the time to quit.
Can an ECG detect a blocked artery?
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that can detect heart problems, including a blocked artery. The ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart and can show if there is a blockage in one of your coronary arteries. A blocked artery can cause chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, weakness, or a cold sweat. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away.
How do you check for a heart blockage at home?
If you think you might be having a heart attack, it’s important to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. You can also check for a heart blockage at home by taking your pulse. A blocked artery can cause your heart to beat too fast or irregularly, so checking your pulse can give you a clue as to whether or not you might have a blockage. To check your pulse, simply place your fingers on the inside of your wrist and count the number of beats in 10 seconds. If your heart is beating more than 60 times in 10 seconds, you may have a heart blockage. Other symptoms of a heart blockage include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder, and weakness.
Can coronary disease be cured?
Coronary artery disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle, which can lead to chest pain or discomfort (angina) and a heart attack. There is no cure for coronary artery disease, but treatments can help reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. These treatments include lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly; quitting smoking; and taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
What are the 3 types of coronary heart disease?
There are three types of coronary heart disease:
1. atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
2. thrombosis (clogging of the arteries)
3. embolism (blockage of the arteries).
Atherosclerosis is the most common type of coronary heart disease. It occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing them and making it difficult for blood to flow through. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery, blocking blood flow to the heart muscle. This can also cause chest pain and other symptoms. Embolism occurs when an artery is blocked by an object that has broken off from another artery or vein.
