The gradual buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries is called atherosclerosis. The blood flow in your body is affected by plaque, which causes coronary artery disease. The blood clots are caused by a mix of calcium, waste products, cholesterol, and fibrin. The deposition of waste products narrows the arteries. It also makes your arteries stiff.
Plaque buildup is expected to cause a heart attack
Certain parts of your body may not receive blood because of damaged arteries due to plaque. When the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed with plaque, not enough blood will reach the heart muscles. So, proper functioning of the heart cannot be ensured because of insufficient nutrients and oxygen. According to healthcare experts at Medriva, it causes discomfort in your chest, and you may be at risk of a heart attack.
People are likely to experience plaque buildup in other arteries of their body apart from the heart. As a result, such people may suffer from conditions such as peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease.
Risk factors
Risk factors for coronary artery disease are not getting adequate sleep, not engaging in physical activity, and consuming refined carbohydrates or a lot of saturated fat. Other risk factors include vaping, smoking, or use of other tobacco products; low HDL cholesterol; high LDL cholesterol; suffering from atherosclerosis; diabetes; metabolic syndrome; sleep apnea; usage of hormonal birth control; etc. You could manage coronary artery disease through the intake of medicines and changes in lifestyle.
Complications
If your heart is not receiving sufficient blood, the muscles of your heart start dying. It could also lead to a heart attack, which can be fatal. Immediate medical attention is necessary to ensure blood flow to the heart and save your life. If your coronary artery disease is not treated in time, you could also be prone to complications like heart failure, cardiac arrest, abnormal heart rhythms, and cardiogenic shock.
Diagnosis of coronary artery disease
Healthcare providers at Medriva tell you that coronary artery disease is diagnosed through testing and a physical exam. The physician will measure blood pressure and listen to the heart using a stethoscope during a physical exam. The doctor will also ask you questions about your lifestyle, medical history, symptoms that you are experiencing and for how long, and family history.
The recommended tests to diagnose coronary artery disease
Your heart function will be examined by the physician through various tests such as cardiac catheterization, heart MRI, blood tests, echocardiogram, CT (computer tomography) coronary angiogram, chest X-ray, exercise stress test, and coronary calcium scan.
Treatment for coronary artery disease
The physician will advise you to make lifestyle changes, consume medicines, and manage risk factors. Some people may be subjected to surgery to treat coronary artery disease. The recommended lifestyle changes include reducing the consumption of alcohol, engaging in physical activity like walking for five days a week, consuming a Mediterranean diet, and consuming foods low in trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar.
You can also slow down the progression of coronary artery disease by managing diabetes, high blood pressure, BMI, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol. The physician may prescribe medicines to control blood clot risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Conclusion
Many people across the world are suffering from coronary artery disease because of genetics, a bad lifestyle, high cholesterol, diabetes, the consumption of foods rich in saturated fat, etc. People can manage this disease by making lifestyle changes, indulging in regular exercises, and consuming medicines prescribed by their physician.
