| All of our muscles need a continuous supply of | | | | normally done on a treadmill. This forces the heart |
| oxygen carried by the blood and the heart is no | | | | to work harder, a time when problems often |
| exception. However, due to diet, age, and other | | | | show up. Your blood pressure and heart rate will |
| factors such as high blood cholesterol, high blood | | | | also be monitored while taking the stress test. A |
| pressure and smoking, our coronary arteries may | | | | nuclear scanning involves the doctor inserting a |
| become smaller or clogged. When the blood flow | | | | small amount of radioactive material into your |
| to the heart is restricted, it results in coronary | | | | vein. He can then see damage done by using a |
| heart disease, sometimes known as CHD. Angina | | | | scanning camera. Finally, a coronary angiography is |
| occurs when not enough blood carrying oxygen | | | | a test where a catheter is inserted into an artery |
| can get through to the heart. This often causes a | | | | (usually in your arm or leg) and it films the heart |
| pain in the left arm or chest. When the blood flow | | | | while it pumps. The picture it takes is known as |
| is cut off completely, a heart attack occurs. Any | | | | an angiogram. |
| part of the heart that is not receiving the oxygen | | | | What is the treatment for coronary heart |
| it needs begins to die and permanent damage to | | | | disease? |
| the muscle can be done. | | | | That depends on the severity. If it is less severe, |
| What are the symptoms of coronary heart | | | | the doctor will probably suggest lifestyle changes. |
| disease? | | | | Many people do not care for this treatment |
| Some people may not experience any symptoms. | | | | because it involves giving up things they love. You |
| Others may feel short of breath or experience a | | | | will need to change your diet so it is lower in fat |
| mild discomfort in their chest area. Still others | | | | and cholesterol. You will also need to start on an |
| suffering from coronary heart disease experience | | | | exercise regiment as well. Even a small amount of |
| a constant chest pain that may hinder their | | | | exercise can lower your risks of a heart attack. |
| everyday activities. | | | | Smokers can drastically reduce their chances of a |
| Those that suffer from angina say they feel a | | | | heart attack when they quit smoking. Even if you |
| pressure or heaviness on their chest. This can | | | | have already suffered from one heart attack, |
| sometimes include a burning sensation or they | | | | stopping smoking can prevent another. |
| may say it feels like their chest is being squeezed. | | | | Those with more severe cases of coronary heart |
| Other symptoms associated with coronary heart | | | | disease may need to undergo surgery. Coronary |
| disease include dizziness, queasiness, shortness of | | | | angioplasty is one type of surgery for coronary |
| breath, and can include heart palpitations. Pain may | | | | heart disease. Often referred to as balloon |
| spread to their neck, jaw, or arms. | | | | angioplasty, this involves a catheter going through |
| If you suffer from angina, the doctor will try to | | | | the artery that is blocked. The balloon on the end |
| diagnose what type you have - stable or unstable. | | | | is inflated to help open up the artery. If the |
| Just like the names, stable angina tends to occur | | | | artery cannot be opened, you will need a |
| at certain times such as after you exert yourself, | | | | coronary artery bypass operation. In this, the |
| after a large meal, or when you get upset. The | | | | surgeon removes a blood vessel from another |
| pain lasts between one and five minutes and | | | | part of the body and graphs it onto the blocked |
| usually resting helps alleviate the symptoms. If | | | | artery. The blood is then able to go around the |
| you have no pattern as to when you experience | | | | blockage by way of this new vessel. Even after |
| the pain, it is known as unstable angina. This is the | | | | having these surgeries, you will be asked to |
| more severe type of the two. | | | | change your lifestyle. |
| Once the doctor establishes that you do have | | | | If you experience any type of chest pain, it is |
| coronary heart disease, he may ask you to take | | | | imperative that you visit your doctor to get a |
| some tests to see to what damage has been | | | | checkup. Chances may be it is nothing life |
| done. One test he may order is the | | | | threatening, but it is always better to be safe |
| electrocardiogram (ECG). This will show him the | | | | than sorry. |
| electrical activity of the heart. A stress test is | | | | |