Ischaemic Heart Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Ischaemic heart disease is more commonly known as coronary artery disease. Of course, the mere mention of the words "heart disease" surges enough panic through our minds that further understanding of it can be difficult. 'Ischaemia' as a term can be simply put as a condition that is categorized by reduced blood flow (hence 'oxygen') to a certain part of the body.

Ischaemic heart disease, is a condition wherein the body faces an inability to provide oxygen to the heart muscles. A very common end result of this condition is a myocardial infraction (Cardiac arrest or heart attack).

The causes for Ischaemic heart disease is still unknown. Although, there are a lot of probable theories, a concrete cause of this disease has not been narrowed down. There are a lot of factors that pose risk of this disease, controlling these has shown favorable results in preventing the disease. These factors are - family history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, smoking, poor nutrition - especially a fatty diet, previous heart attack or stroke, overweight, hypertension, elevated cholesterol and/or low level of HDL (high-density lipoprotein). Genetic factors like family history of the disease cannot be avoided hence, it's obvious that the individual will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle from all the other aspects to do their best to keep this disease at bay.

IHD has no symptoms in the early stages. Nonetheless, there are symptoms that you may notice at the later stages - Angina pectoris (the patient may feel burning, squeezing, heaviness or tightness in the chest, this may then extend to the neck jaw, left arm or shoulder blade). Ordinarily, angina pectoris occurs after physical activity lasting for not more than a few minutes. It is worse when the activity follows a meal. It can also occur if the individual goes from a low temperature zone to a high temperature zone. Emotional stress can cause and/or worsen it further. Not all people with IHD would encounter angina pectoris. If they don't, there is a possibility that they suffer from Silent Ischaemic Heart Disease. It is still unknown why ischaemia becomes silent.

Coronary Artery Disease can be diagnosed depending on the nature of the prevalent symptoms. An Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) may be done to check for "stable" angina and "acute" coronary syndrome. Further, and X-Ray of the chest and blood tests may also be needed to be performed.

It is mostly observed that angina is clinically diagnosed due to repeated complaints of chest discomfort on exertion which is relieved by rest. It is further confirmed by observing reversible ischaemic changes on ECG during an attack or by giving a test dose of sublingual nitroglycerin that ordinarily relieves the pain within 3 minutes.

The severity of ischaemia and the presence and extent of the heart disease is determined by certain tests. Diagnostic tests include electrocardiogram (measures electrical activity of the heart), echocardiogram (measures sound waves), exercise-tolerance test, thallium stress test, blood studies to measure total fat, cholesterol and lipoproteins, X-rays of the chest and coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterization).

Coming to the treatment for this health evil, Coronary Artery Disease or Ischemic Heart Disease, once diagnosed, requires the patient to undergo a change in lifestyle. The patient has to make sure that all the risk factors (see risk factors in 2nd paragraph) are effectively eliminated from their lifestyle.

An unknown writer once very wisely wrote "A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools". Health is what we make of it, and we are what our health makes of us. It is very essential to be healthy, take care of your diet and activities, it's never too late to regain health that is once lost!