Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease is a term that describes what happens when your heart's blood supply blocked or distorted by the buildup of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. Over time, the walls of the arteries can become narrowed by fatty collection. This process is known as atherosclerosis, and the collection of fat called atheroma. If the coronary arteries become narrow due to problems atheroma, blood supply to the heart will be limited. This can cause angina (chest pain). If the coronary artery is completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack. The medical term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. By doing some simple lifestyle changes, you can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. And if you already have heart disease, you can take steps to reduce the risk of heart-related issues further.

Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease

If the coronary artery is partially blocked, it can cause chest pain (angina). But if completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Heart Attack
A heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and if not treated immediately, can be fatal. If you think that you are having a heart attack, you should see a doctor immediately.

Heart Palpitations
If you have coronary heart disease, you usually experience heart palpitations. Heart palpitations occur when your heart beats irregularly, or louder than usual. It is important to realize that heart palpitations are not always associated with coronary heart disease, and if you have it, you do not need to worry too much. However, it is best to always be checked by a doctor.

Heart Failure
Heart failure can occur in people who have coronary heart disease. Heart becomes too weak to pump blood throughout the body, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Heart failure can occur suddenly (acute heart failure) or gradually, over a period of time (chronic heart failure).

The Symptoms of Angina
Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease. It can be an uncomfortable feeling similar to indigestion. However, severe angina attack can cause a feeling of heaviness or tightness, usually in the middle of the chest, which may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Angina is often triggered by physical or emotional activity. Symptoms usually disappear within about 10-15 minutes.

The Symptoms of Heart Attack
Discomfort or pain from a heart attack is similar to angina, but usually often more severe. During a heart attack, you may experience the following symptoms:

• sweating,
• dizziness,
• nausea, and
• shortness of breath.

The symptoms of a heart attack is usually similar to indigestion. For example, the symptoms may include heavy feeling in the chest, abdominal pain or heartburn. A heart attack can happen at any time, including when you are resting. If symptoms last longer than 15 minutes, it may be a heart attack.


Causes of Coronary Heart Disease

What are the causes of coronary heart disease? Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a buildup of fat in the walls of the coronary arteries. Fatty deposits called atheroma, which is made up of cholesterol and other waste substances. Atheroma builds up in the walls of the coronary arteries makes the arteries narrow and restrict blood flow to the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis. The risk of atherosclerosis may increase significantly if you:

• smoking,
• have high blood pressure,
• have high blood cholesterol levels,
• rarely exercise,
• have thrombosis, and
• have diabetes.

Other risk factors that may develop atherosclerosis include:

• Are obese or overweight,
• Have a family history of heart attack or angina.

For men, the possibility of increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, if you have a close family member (father or brother) who have had a heart attack or angina before the age of 55 years. For women, the risk increases if you have a close family member (mother or sister) who have had a heart attack or angina before the age of 65 years.

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat produced by the liver from saturated fat we eat. Cholesterol is essential for healthy cells, but if there is too much in the blood can lead to coronary heart disease. Cholesterol is carried in the bloodstream by molecules called lipoproteins. There are several types of lipoproteins, but the two main ones are the low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol). LDL cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol, carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells. LDL cholesterol tends to build up in the walls of the coronary arteries, causing heart disease. HDL cholesterol is often referred to as good cholesterol, carries cholesterol from the cells and back to the liver.

High blood pressure
Hypertension (high blood pressure) puts the burden on the heart and is a causative factor for coronary heart disease.

Smoking
Smoking is one of the causes of heart disease. Carbon monoxide (of smoke) and nicotine, both putting pressure on the heart to make it work faster. It also makes your blood to clot. Other chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the lining of your coronary arteries. Approximately 20% of coronary heart disease-related deaths in men and 17% in women are caused by smoking.

Blood Clotting
Thrombosis is a blood clot in an artery (or vein). If thrombosis occurs in the coronary arteries (coronary thrombosis), will cause the arteries to narrow, increasing your risk of having a heart attack. Coronary thrombosis occurs when blood turns from liquid to solid form in one of the arteries of the heart. A blood clot prevents blood supply reaching the heart muscle.