Download Coronary Heart Disease Coronary heart disease, or CHD, is

Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease, or CHD, is sometimes also called coronary artery disease, or CAD. It is essentially a disorder that
affects the arteries around the heart, causing the blood supply in the arteries to be insufficient for delivering the oxygen
that the heart needs. It accounts for almost 17% of the deaths in Australia each year.
Causes
Most doctors and researchers believe that coronary heart disease begins with an injury or damage to the inner layer of
the artery, sometimes one that occurs as early as childhood. Some of the factors that may cause this damage to occur
include:
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Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Radiation therapy that is used to treat certain types of cancers
After damage has been done to the inner wall of an artery, fatty deposits known as plaque begin to build up. This
process is known as atherosclerosis, and the plaque itself may be formed by cholesterol or other cellular residue within
the bloodstream. Once these plaques have formed, if one should become damaged at the surface, the body attempts to
‘repair’ this damage by allowing blood cells known as platelets to collect around the area. The build-up of these platelets
on an already damaged area could possibly block blood flow to the heart and result in a heart attack.
Signs and Symptoms
In the early stages of coronary heart disease, many patients do not show any signs or symptoms at all. This is because
the build-up of plaque in the arteries is not enough to have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. However,
as the disease progresses, there are several very distinct symptoms that can alert individuals and their physicians to the
presence of CHD. These are:
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Chest Pain – Also referred to as angina, this type of chest pain comes and goes and is typically a response to
emotional or physical stress. While it typically feels as if someone is ‘standing on the chest’ of the affected
patient, women sometimes describe the pain as being centralized to the abdomen, back or arm; it may also be
sharp and fleeting instead of dull or achy.
Shortness of Breath – The inability to catch one’s breath, particularly after exercise of physical stress, may also
be a sign of coronary heart disease. Extreme fatigue may also accompany this symptom.
Heart Attack – A heart attack occurs when the arteries carrying blood to the heart become completely blocked
by plaque or platelets. While everyone experiences a heart attack differently, the classic signs include an intense
crushing sensation within the chest; severe pain in the chest, shoulder and/or arm; and nausea accompanied by
shoulder or jaw pain.
Individuals who believe they may be having a heart attack should seek immediate medical attention. Patients who
display angina or shortness of breath and who have any of the risk factors for coronary heart disease—including
smoking, obesity, diabetes and others—should speak with their physicians.
Treatments
There are three primary ways in which coronary heart disease is treated. These include:
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Medication – Certain medications like ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, aspirin, diuretics and even nitrates to
improve chest pain are all commonly prescribed to patients with CHD.
Angioplasty and Stents – These are invasive and require the surgeon to widen the opening of the arteries
artificially in order to restore blood flow and improve symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes – Dietary changes to reduce levels of bad cholesterol and better manage blood sugar are very
helpful. Similarly, developing and sticking to an exercise regimen can have a positive impact on overall health.
Exercise is Beneficial
Individuals with coronary heart disease who are deemed stable by their physicians and who are responding well to
treatment can get multiple benefits from regular exercise. Moderate intensity aerobic workouts can help to maintain a
normal heart rhythm, prevent blood vessels from narrowing further, help deliver more blood to the heart and even
prevent blood from clotting. All of these can improve the symptoms of CHD and make for a more enjoyable quality of
life—and perhaps even a longer life.
Best Types of Exercise
One of the best types of exercise for individuals with coronary heart disease is aerobic exercise as this helps to improve
cardiorespiratory function. This means that people with CHD can essentially train their bodies to use oxygen more
efficiently. The guidelines for aerobic exercise for people with this disease are:
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Exercise for 20-60 minutes per day for three to seven days per week, depending on the patient’s capability and
current health condition. The lower end of the spectrum should be observed by those who have severe cases of
CHD; those who are only in the beginning stages of the disease should work toward the higher end of the scale.
The target heart rate should be 50% to 80% of the patient’s maximum.
Using the target heart rate, patients should stop exercising when their heart rates reach 10 bpm below the stage
when they begin to experience angina.
Weight training, or resistance training, helps patients gain the strength that is necessary to perform the functions of
everyday living. Patients should follow the advice of their physicians and trainers in order to ensure that they do not
overexert or overwork their bodies.
Exercise is one of the best treatments for people with coronary heart disease provided that they follow a program that is
well-suited to their needs. It can reduce symptoms, improve health and lead to a better quality, longer life.