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Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries of the heart begin to narrow or become blocked.

As a result, the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart is reduced, endangering the health of the heart muscle. It is the leading cause of death worldwide.

What are the symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease causes angina. It manifests as pressure, tightness, numbness or pain in the chest, arm, neck, back or jaw. If not treated promptly, it can lead to a heart attack or myocardial infarction (complete blockage of a coronary artery resulting in the death of part of the heart). The “classic” symptoms of a heart attack may be one or more of the following:

• Angina
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Weakness or dizziness

How Coronary Heart Disease is Caused

The cause of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis (“hardening” or “thickening” of the artery wall). Atherosclerosis begins with the deposition of a fatty plaque in the artery wall. The classic main risk factors for developing Coronary Heart Disease are:

• Hypertension
• Smoking
• Elevated cholesterol
• Diabetes mellitus
• Positive heredity
• Sedentary lifestyle

What is Acute Myocardial Infarction

The simultaneous presence of atherosclerotic plaque and a thrombus that completely and abruptly blocks the artery, resulting in the cessation of blood supply to the heart muscle. It is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical and surgical treatment (angioplasty)

How is Coronary Heart Disease treated

• Medical with risk factor modification
• Interventional with coronary angiography and angioplasty
• Surgical with bypass surgery

What is needed for successful prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

• Starting mild physical exercise
• Stopping smoking
• Losing excess weight
• Maintaining low cholesterol
• Maintaining normal blood pressure
• Proper sugar control
• Reduce stress
• Adapt well and be aware of changes in your life without guilt

Why exercise helps our heart

Like every muscle in our body, the heart works better if it is exercised. Exercise also helps fight stress, reduce weight and cholesterol. Before starting any activity:

• Choose an activity that makes your heart and lungs work harder than they do at rest. It should also please you. Good choices are walking, dancing, swimming, cycling or aerobics
• Start the activity slowly. Initially, you should exercise 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes
• When you feel more comfortable, you can increase the intensity and frequency of your exercise
• Your goal should be to exercise 4 to 5 times a week for 20 to 40 minutes each time.
• Organize the way you exercise and do not deviate from it

Eat healthy foods

Most people can improve their heart health by eating less fat and salt and more fiber-rich foods.

• Eat less meat. Choose fish and white poultry instead
• Do not use butter, margarine, or other fats when cooking. Instead, you can use olive oil
• Do not add salt to your food
• Prefer low-fat foods (e.g. 1% milk)

Quit smoking

If you smoke, seriously consider quitting for good. It is one of the best things you can do to prevent the development of coronary heart disease. Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. It accelerates the development of atherosclerotic plaque in the walls of the heart vessels and increases the risk of heart attack. If you have made an unsuccessful attempt to quit smoking in the past, do not be discouraged. Most smokers try at least 4 or 5 times before finally succeeding!

• Make the final decision to quit smoking with determination
• Find a friend or partner and try to quit smoking together.You can also join a smoking cessation support group
• Use aids such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or special medications
• Have gum or carrots available to chew on when you feel the urge to smoke
• Make a comprehensive list of the reasons you want to quit smoking. Read it in “moments of weakness”
• Change your daily habits that you have associated with smoking to permanently escape this harmful habit