Cardiac ischemia

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a condition characterized by impaired blood flow to the site of the heart muscle as a result of constriction of the coronary vessels (blood vessels to which the blood enters the heart).

Coronary heart disease begins to manifest, if the degree of narrowing of the vessels reaches a level of 50%. According to WHO classification, sudden coronary death, myocardial infarction and angina are referred to coronary heart disease.

Causes of IHD

Many factors can lead to narrowing of the vessels, atherosclerosis takes the first place among them. Clogging the vessel from the inside occurs gradually due to the deposition of salts and fats on its inner wall. This phenomenon is more susceptible to men, but predisposing factors for its appearance in both sexes can be considered hypertension, smoking, drinking alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, increased blood coagulability, heredity and metabolic disorders.

Separately, I would like to note the stress, when the lumen of the vessel narrows by the action of hormones.

It does not matter which vessels of the organ have been affected (ischemia of the heart, kidney or ischemic stroke), the symptoms may be different, but the pathological process is the same everywhere. It consists in the necrosis of a part of the cells due to lack of blood supply.

Signs of ischemic heart disease

One form of IHD is sudden coronary death. The cause of it can be determined only at the autopsy, and in most cases it is the atherosclerosis of the vessels. Almost all the dead suddenly had heart disease.

Angina (in the people "angina pectoris") is manifested by the pain behind the breastbone, which gives to the left shoulder and arm, as well as discomfort in the chest (burning, bursting).

The attack can occur after physical exertion, abundant food, abrupt temperature changes, and in severe cases, even at rest. The attack lasts up to 15 minutes. If you eliminate the cause (rest, calm down) and take nitroglycerin, then the condition is normalized, because nitrates dilate the vessels, restoring the flow of blood to the heart.

Myocardial infarction is also an ischemic heart disease, which is characterized by the death of a part of the cells of the heart muscle due to the lack of blood supply in this area.

The signs of coronary heart disease, which are observed during a heart attack, resemble angina, manifesting pain behind the sternum, giving to the scapula, the left arm and abdomen. However, it lasts more than 30 minutes and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin. In addition, pain is accompanied by a decrease or increase in blood pressure, tachycardia (not always). There may be nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, shortness of breath, muscle trembling and fear of death.

Diagnosis of coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease develops for a long time, so timely diagnosis of blood supply disorders prevents serious consequences.

First of all, the doctor conducts a survey and examination, but a more complete picture of the state of the vessels can be obtained only after the following procedures:

• ECG at rest;
• Bicycle ergometry (stress test) - ECG performed during exercise;
• Echocardiography;
• Cardiac catheterization and angiography are the most modern and accurate tests for determining blood supply to the heart.

Treatment of coronary heart disease

Therapeutic measures in IHD are aimed at improving blood supply and vasodilatation. However, the complex of activities also includes therapeutic nutrition and exercise therapy.

Therapeutic nourishment. With the wrong nutrition, even the most expensive and effective treatment will not have the necessary effect on the body. Ischemic disease requires a reduction in salt and fat intake, increase in dietary fiber, vitamins and trace elements.

Medicines . With IHD, nitrates are used (to relieve vasospasms) and antiaggregants (to reduce the viscosity of the blood). Blood flow improves beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. In case of excess weight, hypolipidemic agents are prescribed (reducing the cholesterol content in the blood).

All drugs are taken only according to the doctor's prescription and in strict accordance with the recommended dosages.

Physiotherapy. It should be conducted under the guidance of the trainer outside the periods of exacerbation of the disease.

It is worth saying that all these measures must be taken immediately after the detection of ischemic disease, without waiting for the development of a heart attack, severe angina or sudden death.

Aortocoronary bypass surgery is performed in severe cases to widen the lumen of the vessel.