Coronary Heart Disease Management: Overview, Impact, and Risk Factors

CORONARY HEART DISEASE MANAGEMENT. 1
CORONARY HEART DISEASE MANAGEMENT
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CORONARY HEART DISEASE MANAGEMENT. 2
Coronary Heart disease an overview.
Coronary heart disease can also be referred to as Coronary artery disease. In the past few years, it
has hit the headlines as being the leading cause of death of male and female individuals in the
United States. Coronary arteries are essential for the supply of blood rich in oxygen to the
muscles of the heart. For several years quite a substantial amount of research has been conducted
in regards to the causes and the prevention of coronary heart disease. Due to this development
researchers have come up with new findings in relation to this condition. For quite a substantial
number of years, the causes and contributors of coronary heart disease have been known to be
saturated fat and cholesterol. However, this has changed with the studies that have been
conducted recently. The limit of limiting the intake of saturated fatty acids and replacing them
with polyunsaturated fatty acids has been termed to be unwise. The significance of a diet has
been overrated taking into consideration an individual's genetic makeup. However, it may or may
not be a consideration factor. Substantive exercising also plays a great role in the prevention of
coronary heart disease. Taking into consideration aspect of human development, individuals
have a lot to learn concerning the human body and its interactions with diet, the environment,
and genetic makeup.
This study brings into perspective various key issues relating to Coronary heart disease. The key
issues can be highlighted at a glance at what coronary heart disease is, the impact of coronary
heart disease, and the various factors that act as catalysts to coronary heart disease.
Coronary Heart Disease Defined
As stated earlier, coronary heart disease has led to the death of many individuals in the United
States regardless of gender. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in the paper titled
‘AT-A-GLANCE: Coronary Heart Disease' brings into perspective a detailed explanation of
what the condition is all about. It manifests when plaque develops in the coronary arteries
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2009, p. 1). The arteries are essential for supplying
hear muscles with oxygen-rich blood. The composition of plaque includes calcium, cholesterol,
fat and other components of blood. With time these substances harden and clog the arteries and
hence the flow of blood to the heart is hindered and often limited (Lemos, & Omland, 2017, p.
25). Eventually, these areas burst hence causing the formation of clots on its surface. Taking into
consideration the clot size, the arteries can be blocked eventually, and a very small percentage of

CORONARY HEART DISEASE MANAGEMENT. 3
oxygen-rich blood can reach the heart muscles (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2009,
p. 2). As a result of individual experiences massive chest pains which can also be referred to as
angina. Individuals suffering from coronary heart diseases often do not display any symptom.
However, individuals suffering from this condition often suffer from massive chest pains, heart
attack, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2012, p. 1).
The causes of massive chest pains and heart attack are often the same that is clogged arteries
which reduce the flow of blood to heart muscles.
Overtime muscles of the heart weaken as a result of coronary heart disease. The weakening
reduces the heart's capabilities to pump sufficient blood through an individual's body (National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2009, p. 1). This condition is often referred to as heart failure
or arrhythmias.
Information regarding family history and medical history is essential during the analysis of the
condition (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2012, p. 1). Doctors take into consideration the
results of various tests that are meant to evaluate the condition of an individual. These tests
include the exercise stress tests which are meant to evaluate the condition of one's heart during
and after exercises, cardiac catheterization which is geared towards the detection of the flow of
blood in the arteries, echocardiogram which employs the use of sound wave mechanism to
evaluate the heart functions (Mukhtar, 2012, p. 5), and the electrocardiogram which is essential
in measuring the electrical activity of the heart.
The Impact of Coronary Heart Disease
This condition has resulted in the death of many individuals in the United States. The Hawaii
state department in the article titled ‘Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program 2012
Coronary Heart Disease Fact Sheet' brings into perspective the impact of Coronary Heart disease.
It brings into perspective that an average of about one in every six deaths experienced in the
United States. About 785, 000 Americans depict a new instance of coronary infections while
470,000 individuals experience recurring coronary infections. The occurrence of this condition is
higher in men compared to women (ScholarlyEditions, 2012). The risk of developing this
condition stands at a rate of 49% after an average age of about 40 years for men, and that of
women stands at an average rate of about 32% (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2012, p. 2).