Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death, as it is responsible for 16% of all deaths in the world. What are coronary heart diseases?
Coronary heart disease, called coronary artery disease, is a term that refers to problems that occur when the coronary arteries are unable to deliver an adequate amount of blood to the heart, which leads to serious complications, most notably sudden cardiac arrest.
In the following, we will discuss the most important information about these diseases and their complications:
Types of coronary heart disease
In general, coronary heart disease occurs when fatty substances, such as cholesterol, and cellular waste build up on the walls of the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, causing the formation of plaques on the inner lining of those arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis.
These plaques usually form in the arteries of the heart over many years, which leads to narrowing and hardening of these arteries or their blockage, thus preventing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle partially or completely.
In addition, coronary heart diseases may occur as a result of some disturbances in the mechanism of action of the coronary arteries, which lead to their spasm and contraction, causing them to narrow and obstruct blood flow to the heart.
In general, there are three types of coronary heart disease, which are as follows
1. Obstructive coronary artery disease
In this type of coronary heart disease, more than 50% or complete blockage occurs in the large coronary arteries located on the surface of the heart muscle.
2. Non-occlusive coronary artery disease
In this type, only the large coronary arteries may become narrowed due to the formation of plaques.
3. Coronary microvascular disease
As for this type, the disease may develop by the formation of small plaques in the tiny blood vessels present in the tissues of the heart muscle.
Symptoms of coronary heart disease
The appearance of symptoms and signs of coronary heart disease may depend on the severity of the disease and the extent of coronary artery blockage, and may include the following:
1. Angina
Angina pectoris arises in the event of a partial blockage in the coronary heart arteries, and its symptoms include the following:
Chest pain (may be dull or severe).
Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the middle of the chest.
shortness of breath.
Severe pain radiating to the neck, arms, jaw, and back, usually in severe cases.
An angina attack often occurs as a result of an individual''s exposure to psychological or physical stress, and symptoms may go away within a few minutes after stopping strenuous activities.
2. Heart attack
A heart attack occurs in the event that the coronary arteries are completely blocked, which leads to temporary or permanent damage to the heart muscle, and this condition may be fatal if not treated quickly.
The symptoms of a heart attack are usually similar to severe angina pectoris, except that they may be more severe, in addition to feeling some other symptoms, which include the following:
Feeling of too much pressure in the chest.
sweating
Nausea.
Upset stomach and heartburn.
general fatigue.
dizziness or fainting
A heart attack can happen while you''re at rest, and sometimes it can develop without any significant signs or symptoms.
Factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease
Factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease are as follows
Hypertension.
High level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Low level of good cholesterol in the blood.
diabetes.
Obesity.
smoking.
Infection of a family member with these diseases.
Postmenopausal women.
Men over 45 years old.
Complications of coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is one of the critical health problems that may cause many serious complications that may lead to disability or death. Among these complications, we mention the most important:
1. Arrhythmia
Damage to the heart muscle or lack of blood supply to it may lead to an imbalance in the heart''s electrical signals, causing heart rhythm disturbances.
2. Acute coronary syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome may cause the following pathological conditions: acute angina pectoris and acute heart attack.
3. Heart failure
Chronic lack of access to oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle may cause it to weaken or damage some of its parts, which leads to heart failure or its inability to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.
4. Cardiogenic Shock
CHD can result in an emergency called cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to vital organs, such as the brain and kidneys.
5. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
We mentioned earlier that coronary heart disease can cause electrical disturbances in the heart, and this may lead to a condition in which the heartbeat stops suddenly, causing no blood flow to the brain, which in turn leads to death within a few minutes if not treated quickly.
