According to statistics, the most common cause of death in the world is coronary heart disease. What is it, what are the causes of its appearance and symptoms - read below.
CHD is coronary arteriosclerosis. Normally, the arteries should be elastic and smooth so that the blood flows freely to the heart.
However, bad habits, a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition lead to the fact that even at a young age, fat begins to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Gradually, the arteries become sticky, and substances adhering to the blood adhere to them. So atherosclerotic plaques are formed, which more and more narrow the vascular lumen and impede blood flow. The heart muscle does not receive oxygen, and therefore, nutrition, in the amount necessary for normal work, as a result of its spasm. This is how
coronary heart disease develops
. What it is, and why it arises, in general terms we have described. Now consider in more detail the types and symptoms of the disease.
There are two forms of coronary heart disease: chronic and acute. The first is manifested by diseases such as angina pectoris, heart failure, various arrhythmias. They can occur individually or all together.
The most common symptom of CHD is angina pectoris. Patients describe their condition in different ways.
It can be pressing or bursting pains, burning, numbness or just a feeling of discomfort in the chest area. Pain radiates to the left shoulder blade, shoulder, arms, lower jaw, neck. Angina pectoris is easily confused with osteochondrosis or gastrointestinal diseases. Some do not feel at all and do not suspect that they are ill.
Coronary heart disease - what is it? In addition to the above, there are also such symptoms:
Dyspnea. At first it occurs only with excitement, physical effort, eating, in the cold. With the progression of the disease appears and at rest.
Heart palpitations.
Dizziness.
General weakness.
Violation of the heartbeat: missed and irregular strokes, the feeling of a heart jumping out of the chest.
Increased sweating.
Nausea.
An attack of angina pectoris can happen unexpectedly. As a rule, it is removed with nitroglycerin and lasts no more than 15-20 minutes. Moreover, the patient may have swelling of the legs, cough. This indicates the development of heart failure.
Arrhythmia may occur at the same time. If nitroglycerin did not help stop an attack of angina pectoris, it is possible
that it is a heart attack. In this case, you need to urgently call an ambulance.
Acute coronary heart disease is manifested by myocardial infarction. This is a condition in which the blood supply to any part of the heart is limited or completely absent. As a result of oxygen starvation, necrosis of this part of the myocardium occurs. The pain with a heart attack is stronger and longer than with angina pectoris, and, as already mentioned, is not relieved by nitroglycerin. In addition, an acute form of coronary heart disease can cause sudden coronary death.
So, coronary heart disease - what is it? The conclusion is clear: this is a dangerous condition that requires urgent treatment and lifestyle changes.