Ischemic Heart Disease
What is the life expectancy of ischemic heart disease? Learn everything about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this acute or chronic disease.
Symptoms and Causes
Ischemic heart disease is a condition that causes the narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart. As the oxygen supply decreases, the heart muscle becomes damaged.
This type of coronary atherosclerosis develops gradually and does not show symptoms in its early stages. Over time, the arteries become partially or completely blocked and stiffen due to the accumulation of cholesterol inside them.
Depending on its characteristics, there are two types of ischemic heart disease:
- Acute ischemic heart disease: Causes episodes of acute myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency, and requires immediate treatment.
- Chronic ischemic heart disease: Has a more gradual progression and is commonly known as angina pectoris.
Symptoms
When ischemic heart disease presents symptoms, the most common ones are:
- Chest pain and pressure.
- Pain in the shoulder, jaw, arm, and neck.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sweating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue.
Causes
The main cause of ischemic heart disease is the accumulation of atheromatous plaques (fat) inside the arteries. This narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels is known as arteriosclerosis. If the plaque remains stable, it causes stable angina with exertion-related symptoms; if the plaque ruptures, it leads to a myocardial infarction.
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors for ischemic heart disease include:
- Advanced age.
- Male sex (the risk equalizes for women after menopause).
- Smoking.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Obesity.
- Hypertension.
- High levels of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and low levels of HDL (high-density lipoproteins).
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Family history.
Complications
The main manifestations of ischemic heart disease are:
- Acute myocardial infarction.
- Stable angina pectoris.
- Unstable angina pectoris.
The most common complications of this disease are arrhythmias and heart failure.
Prevention
To prevent ischemic heart disease, it is recommended to:
- Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Engage in regular and moderate physical exercise.
- Quit smoking.
- Obtain early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia.
Which Doctor Treats Ischemic Heart Disease?
Cardiologists diagnose and treat ischemic heart disease in most cases. Cardiovascular surgeons may also be involved when coronary bypass surgery is required.
Diagnosis
To diagnose ischemic heart disease, in addition to reviewing the medical history, several tests are conducted, including:
- Electrocardiogram: Records heart activity and detects arrhythmias or past myocardial infarctions.
- Chest X-ray: Provides information about the size of the heart, arteries, and lungs.
- Echocardiogram: Displays the heart’s condition and movement.
- Stress test: Assesses how the heart responds during physical exertion.
- Chest CT scan: Helps evaluate the condition of the coronary arteries.
- Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: Detects areas of the heart muscle with reduced blood supply.
Treatment
The treatment for ischemic heart disease varies depending on whether it manifests as a myocardial infarction or angina pectoris. After either event, the patient must rest for a period before beginning treatment, which may include:
- Pharmacological treatment: Includes anticoagulants and beta-blockers, as well as medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Catheterization: Used to unblock blood vessels and restore blood flow by implanting a stent.
- Surgical treatment: Involves performing coronary bypass surgery.
