Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition characterized by impaired blood supply to the heart muscle caused by blockages in the coronary arteries. This condition impedes the supply of oxygen and nutrients.
What are the factors that cause coronary heart disease?
Causative factors are divided into two categories. First, risk factors or inherited factors, such as advanced age and gender, with men being at higher risk for CHD. Second, CHD risk factors are lifestyle-related, such as consuming foods high in fat and cholesterol. Furthermore, having comorbidities such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes.
This is actually a modifiable factor. If you have comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it's best to monitor them to prevent coronary heart disease as early as possible.
Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease
If coronary heart disease is not controlled, it can lead to complications, one of which is a heart attack.
The most common symptom of a heart attack is angina pectoris, which is discomfort or pain in the chest. This pain can occur in the left chest, radiate to the left arm, or even extend to the back. This condition worsens with activity.
Here are other symptoms of a heart attack:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Palpitations or discomfort even accompanied by cold sweats
- Another non-typical symptom is pain that can radiate to the jaw.
- Heartburn that doesn't go away and is even thought to be stomach pain
- In severe cases, it can lead to decreased consciousness or fainting.
Coronary Heart Disease Treatment
Ronald said there are various types of treatment for coronary heart disease, including:
1. Improve your lifestyle
With a healthy lifestyle, it is a better step.
The lifestyle modifications referred to include eating foods with balanced nutrition, exercising regularly 3-5 times a week, not smoking, and managing stress.
2. Taking Prescription Drugs
For coronary heart disease patients with comorbidities, doctors will prescribe medication based on the patient's needs. For example, if you have high blood pressure, you'll be given antihypertensive medication, and if you have high cholesterol, you'll be given an anticholesterol medication.
Then, for patients who have diabetes, the cardiologist will work together with an internist in treating the disease.
Then, the doctor will also prescribe other medications, including blood thinners, to prevent more severe blockages.
3. Invasive Therapy
One invasive therapy for coronary heart disease is PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), also known as coronary angioplasty. This is a therapeutic procedure performed to open stenotic narrowing of the coronary arteries in cases of coronary heart disease caused by cholesterol buildup on the blood vessel walls.
So, the first step is to perform an angiogram to assess the severity of the blockage and its location. This will determine the next steps.
In the next stage, it can be inflated with a balloon (coronary angioplasty) or a stent may need to be inserted.
Signs and Conditions That Require a Medical Examination
Coronary heart disease often develops slowly, but its symptoms can become serious if left untreated. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or unexplained extreme fatigue. For those with risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, or a family history of heart disease, regular checkups are highly recommended to detect potential problems early.
Maintaining heart health isn't just about preventing heart attacks, but also about improving your overall quality of life. With a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and seeking medical checkups if any suspicious symptoms arise, you can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
Start caring for your heart now, because a healthy heart is the key to a longer, more productive, and happier life.
This article is based on the Healthy Monday program, a collaboration between EMC Healthcare and Liputan6, with resource persons Dr. Ronaldi, Sp.JP, Subsp.KI (K), FIHA, FAPSC (Cardiologist & Blood Vessel Specialist at EMC Grha Kedoya & Pulomas Hospital) & Dr. Yuliyana Kusaeri, M.Gizi, Sp.GK (Clinical Nutrition Specialist at EMC Cibitung & Pekayon Hospital).