Cardiac ischemia. What is it and what are its manifestations?

According to statistics, the most frequent cause of death in the world is ischemic heart disease. What is it, what are the causes of its appearance and the symptoms - read below.

IHD is atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Normally, the arteries should be elastic and smooth, so that blood can flow unhindered to the heart. However, bad habits, sedentary lifestyle, improper diet lead to the fact that at a young age on the walls of the vessels begins to be stored fat. Gradually, the arteries become sticky, and substances sticking with blood are stuck to them. So atherosclerotic plaques are formed, which increasingly narrow the lumen of blood vessels and impede the flow of blood. The heart muscle does not receive oxygen, which means, and nutrition, in the quantity necessary for normal work, as a result, its spasm occurs. This is how ischemic heart disease develops . What is it, and why it arises, we described in general terms. Now consider in more detail the types and signs of the disease.

There are two forms of ischemic heart disease: chronic and acute. The first is manifested by such diseases as angina pectoris, heart failure, various arrhythmias. They can arise separately or all together.

The most common symptom of IHD is angina pectoris. Patients describe their condition in different ways. It can be oppressive or burgeoning pain, burning, numbness or just a feeling of discomfort in the chest. Pain gives in the left shoulder blade, shoulder, hands, lower jaw, neck. The angina is easily confused with osteochondrosis or gastrointestinal diseases. Some do not experience any sensations at all and do not suspect that they are ill.

Ischemic heart disease - what is it? In addition to the above, there are also symptoms:

1. Dyspnea. At first it arises only with excitement, physical effort, food intake, in the cold. With the progression of the disease appears and at rest.

2. Cardiopalmus.

3. Dizziness.

4. General weakness.

5. Heart palpitations: missed and irregular strokes, a sense of jumping out of the heart from the chest.

6. Increased sweating.

7. Nausea.

An attack of angina may happen unexpectedly. As a rule, it is removed by nitroglycerin and lasts no more than 15-20 minutes. Moreover, the patient may have swelling of the legs, cough. This indicates the development of heart failure. At the same time, arrhythmia may occur. If nitroglycerin did not help to stop an attack of angina pectoris, it is possible that this is a heart attack. In this case, you need to call an ambulance urgently.

Acute ischemic heart disease is manifested by myocardial infarction. This is a condition in which the blood supply of any part of the heart is limited or completely absent. As a result of oxygen starvation, necrosis of this part of the myocardium occurs. Pain with a heart attack is stronger and longer than with angina, and, as already mentioned, is not removed by nitroglycerin. In addition, the acute form of IHD can cause sudden coronary death.

So, ischemic heart disease - what is it? The conclusion is unequivocal: this is a dangerous condition requiring urgent treatment and lifestyle changes.