The heart muscle is able to pump oxygen-rich blood with the help of blood vessels known as coronary arteries. There are two main coronary arteries located outside the heart, the one on the left supplies blood to the left ventricle and atrium while the right coronary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the right ventricle and atrium. However, if there is plaque present in any of these arteries, then the blood flow to the heart can reduce significantly. This can lead to the narrowing of the coronary arteries to such an extent that the walls of their walls. Coronary heart disease or CAD is a heart condition in which cholesterol or plaque in the coronary arteries can make them inflamed. A stress test, lipid profile test, etc., are recommended for people who are at high risk of getting CAD due to obesity, family history or unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Symptoms
Coronary heart disease takes years or even decades to develop in the heart. So there is a possibility that an individual may or may not experience any signs or symptoms. This is primarily because the plaque takes time to build up in the coronary arteries. It is only after extensive damage has taken place that an individual starts exhibiting symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath;
- Pain or tightness in the middle part of the chest, etc.
However, these indicators tend to be triggered by stress and anxiety in a lot of people as well. Sharp pain that settles down after a few minutes is known as angina. The most severe symptom of coronary heart disease is a heart attack. This occurs when an entire artery has plaque build-up, commonly known as a blockage. The most common indicators of a heart attack can be:
- Sweating;
- Chest pain;
- Fatigue;
It is best to get well-priced lipid profile test price Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities, without any delays. These include lipid profile, C-reactive protein, and complete blood count are recommended for people who have pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, etc.
Causes
The primary cause of CAD is a high level of cholesterol in the body. Fatty deposits that are made of cholesterol tend to form plaque in the coronary arteries resulting in partial or complete blockages. Apart from cholesterol, there can be multiple causes of CAD.
- Individuals suffering from high blood pressure are at a higher risk as well.
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as alcohol abuse and smoking are linked with coronary heart disease.
- Overweight people who do not have an active lifestyle are at a greater risk than those who maintain an active lifestyle.
- People with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance often develop blockages in their coronary arteries eventually.
- Family history if either or both parents have suffered from coronary heart disease.
Thus, it is best to get a reasonably priced health package in Delhi, Mumbai or any other city, that includes lipid profile tests, complete blood count, electrocardiograms, ultrasounds, etc., once a year.
Treatment
Besides blood tests, there are other diagnostic tests that can help in diagnosing coronary heart disease are:
- ECG, echocardiogram;
- Exercise stress test;
- Angiogram;
- Cardiac CT scans.
Once the extent of the damage is calculated, an experienced cardiologist can provide the treatment. Lifestyle habits are recommended such as:
- Eating a healthy diet;
- Exercising regularly;
- Quitting smoking;
- Reducing alcohol consumption;
In many cases, several medications are prescribed to regulate cholesterol, blood clotting, blood pressure and chest pains. Surgical procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement are suggested for patients with severe blockages. There are some cases in which coronary heart bypass surgery is required in order to create blood flow to the heart by bypassing the blockage.
Coronary heart disease can be managed with the help of regular blood tests from a reputed pathology lab. Along with this, CAD patients should consult reputed specialists who can provide the best treatment.
