Symptoms of ischemic heart disease. The first signs and treatment of ischemia of the heart What does ischemic heart disease mean

IHD symptoms and treatment is a serious topic, very necessary for those who have already been diagnosed in a medical card - coronary heart disease, doctors - this disease is reduced for convenience - (CHD). It does not hurt to study this topic for those who have crossed the threshold for 40 years.

IHD symptoms and treatment of the disease:

The disease is very serious, associated with a change in cholesterol in the blood (low and very low density), but it is not only the culprit. Problems with blood vessels begin, which means that the heart will suffer.

Ischemic disease is a large group of disorders in the work of the heart. The most important thing is a violation of the oxygen supply of the myocardium (heart muscle) of the heart.

The reason for this is very serious - the narrowing of the coronary vessels, sometimes their complete blockage. They strictly supply blood to our heart, the main organ that pumps blood throughout our body.

To put it simply, the heart is a muscle the size of your fist. From the heart, blood is pumped to our lungs, accumulating oxygen there. The oxygen-rich blood is pumped back to the heart and then throughout the body through the arteries.

Already through our veins, the blood returns back to the heart and back to the lungs. Blood continuously circulates in our body - we are healthy.

Coronary vessels are located on the surface of the heart, so they supply the heart with oxygen. If we are not narrowed, we are healthy, with deviations, ischemia begins. This is especially noticeable during physical labor or any load.

What can IBS lead to:

Otherwise, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest develops.

• An ordinary citizen, ignoring his health, will not notice any manifestation of up to 50% narrowing of the coronary vessels of the heart.
• That's when the narrowing reaches 70 - 80%, the patient begins to feel acute attacks - angina pectoris. Such patients are prone to heart attacks.
• The culprit is, and its development provokes the notorious bad cholesterol of high and very high density.
• The patient experiences pain behind his chest, in his left arm, back, throat, neck, or lower jaw. Behind the sternum burns, presses.
• The appearance of nausea, heartburn, dyspepsia.
• Strong weakness, fear.
• Sometimes even my teeth hurt.
• Heartbeat begins, heart rhythm disturbance.
• Strong sweating.

What happens at the same time in the vessels:

• Inside the vessel on its walls, various salts begin to grow: calcium, fat. They are called plaques. The elastic tissue inside the vessel becomes rigid. From muscular, it turns into a connective one.
• Vessels are sealed, they can no longer pass blood as before.
• The heart begins to experience the entire lack of oxygen.
• Not only narrowing of the coronary vessels develops, but also thrombosis, spasm of the arteries.
• Ischemia provokes tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy.

Types of angina:

Stable: appears under load.

Unstable: manifestation already at rest, from cold, stress, certain drugs.

In addition to the above-mentioned culprit - bad cholesterol, there are many more reasons to get this disease.

• Especially dangerous is the craze for alcoholic beverages, the "enjoyment" of a cigarette.
• Endless TV shows, football in the evenings, computer games, lead to immobility of a person more and more. The blood does not move, hence all the delights of such a life, which turns a healthy person into a ruin.
• Naturally, everything is aggravated with age - the body is aging.
• It is worth paying attention to the hereditary transmission of the disease.
• You can't miss the stress.
• Constant fatigue.
• Ignoring rest.
• Increased blood clotting. It is observed in almost everyone after 40. With age, the blood thickens, start taking action.

Diagnosis of coronary artery disease with symptoms and treatment:

• ECG (electrocardiography): will show deviations in the rhythm of the heart, its work. Its electrical activity is checked.
• Echocardiogram: the same ultrasound that checks the myocardium, blood vessels.
• Exercise bike test: check the load on the heart.
• Chest X-ray.
• CT scan: CT can check for deposits on vessel walls.
• Blood tests: on the content of cholesterol and the alignment of its fractions (total cholesterol, high-density cholesterol, low, very low density, triglycerides, atherogenic index). According to these indicators, you can immediately see which cholesterol you should correct.
• Blood for sugar.
• Holter monitor connection: a device that records the work of your heart for two or three days.
• Measure pressure at the ankle and shoulders. Compare blood flow.

Coronary angiography:

• Coronary angiography (vascular patency) may be needed. This is what they call x-rays of the vessels of your heart. The defeat of the coronary arteries will be visible: in which place and how far the process has gone. This will help you choose a method for treatment more accurately.
• This procedure is absolutely safe. It will take only 20 minutes. You need local anesthesia in the laboratory (angiographic).
• A special X-ray unit is used. A thin tube will be inserted into an artery in your leg or arm and passed through to your heart. A contrast agent is then injected through the catheter to make the coronary arteries visible under x-rays.
• The patient is connected to a heart monitor. Everything is done sterile. The catheter is passed to the heart. The patient does not feel anything. Only when it reaches the heart can your heartbeat slow down or, on the contrary, become more frequent.
• This is the norm. The patient is conscious, follows the doctor's command: take a deep breath or move.

IHD symptoms and treatment drugs:

It is impossible to cure this disease, but you need to control it in order to prolong your active life.

Before treatment, be sure to go through all the examinations prescribed specifically for you, so accurately establish the process of the disease. IHD is a chronic disease, it needs to be treated for life.

Statins are prescribed to stabilize blood cholesterol levels. There is no replacement for them in our time, although side effects are observed.

Statins:

• Simvastatins.
• Parvastatins.
• Lovastatins.
• Rosuvastatins.
• Atorvastatins.

Fibrates:

• Bezalip.
• Lipanor.
• Fenofibrate.
• Lipantil.

A nicotinic acid:

Assign courses, continuous use is contraindicated due to abnormalities in the liver.

Sometimes the patient does not tolerate treatment, but he also needs to be treated with something. This group of drugs is prescribed.

Appointment only with the consent of the doctor. Usually taken at night, starting with a dose of 10 mg at dinner. Then monthly you need to donate blood for cholesterol and dose adjustment.

Blood-thinning drugs (antiplatelet agents):

• Acetylsalicylic acid.

Usually taken for life in small doses of 50 - 75 mg / day.

Anticoagulants:

To slow down blood clotting. In an emergency in a hospital, you may be given Heparin for this purpose. It is impossible to use this drug on its own (it has a direct effect).

There are also direct-acting drugs:

• Flaxiparin.
• Klevarin.
• Flagmin.

Antiplatelet drugs:

• Fenilin.
• Warfarin.

The drugs are very strong in action, independent use can lead to bleeding. Only on prescription from your doctor! Assign with atrial fibrillation.

Nitrates:

Nitroglycerin: for the rapid expansion of the coronary vessels. There are capsules, tablets, sprays. Application for seizures.

Beta blockers:

• Anaprilin.
• Atenolol.
• Besoprolol.
• Metoprolol.

Calcium channel blockers:

• Verapamil (decrease in the number of heartbeats).
• Nifedipine (dilates the arteries).

Beta-agonists:

The use is rare, to enhance the supply of oxygen to the body.

• Papaverine.
• Carbocromen.
• Dipyridamon.

Harness the heart rate, lower blood pressure, prevent angina pectoris.

Drugs to reduce pressure:

• Lisinopril.
• Captopril.
• Enalapril.

In addition to lowering pressure, they help stop the development of coronary artery disease.

Diuretics:

Remove excess fluid, reduce pressure.

• Hypothiazide.
• Indapamide.
• Furosemide.
• Veropshiron.

cardiac glycosides:

Their appointment occurs already with serious deviations in the work of the heart. A lot of side effects. Treat atrial fibrillation.

• Korglikon.
• Digoxin.

Antioxidants:

• Mexidol.
• Emoxipin.
• Ubiquinone.

Antihypoxants:

Improve cell respiration.

• Hypoxen.
• Actovegin.
• Cytochrome.

Surgical methods of treatment:

Angioplasty (stent):

Then the balloon is inflated, it straightens, compressing the fat deposits on the wall. A special mesh (stent) is left at this place in order to fix the expanded area.

Coronary bypass:

A blood vessel is taken from the patient from any part of the body (leg, chest wall), suitable for bypassing the blocked, affected area of ​​the artery during the operation.

Laser surgery:

With this intervention, several small holes are made in the myocardium. They will form new blood vessels.

Carotid endarterectomy:

Means carotid surgery to prevent stroke.

IHD symptoms and treatment with folk remedies:

1. Eat more foods containing potassium, magnesium: dried apricots, raisins, prunes, carrots, beets, rosehip decoctions, nuts, cabbage, oatmeal, rice.
2. Include garlic, cranberries, lemons in your diet to clean blood vessels.
3. Good help is marsh cudweed, valerian, hawthorn, horse chestnut, white willow (bark), fennel decoction (similar to dill), knotweed, motherwort.

The most active herbs:

Elderberry, spring adonis, tricolor violet, blue cornflower, blueberries (berries), peppermint.

1. Give up all bad habits immediately. I know it's hard, but you want to be healthy, right?
2. Give up cigarettes, excess alcohol. There are more enjoyable things in life.
3. Eat healthy foods: vegetables, greens, fruits, nuts, whole grains, poultry, fish.
4. Remove smoked meats, pickles, red meat, white flour, preservatives from the diet.
5. In women, the risk increases significantly after the onset. If the doctor allows, take estrogens (replacement, hormone therapy).
6. There is evidence that the disease is inherited.
7. Be sure to treat all chronic sores: high blood pressure, high weight. With their presence, the blood becomes very thick, the blood flow decreases.
8. Engage in feasible movements, move more, sit less.
9. Constantly maintain the norm of content, donate blood for analysis.

1. Be less upset, don't freak out. This greatly affects the vessels.
2. A very common cause of high cholesterol is the production of homocysteine ​​(an amino acid) by the body. Taking vitamin B 12, B 6 in combination will help.
3. Donate blood once a year for fibrinogen (the norm is up to 4000). It is a protein involved in blood clotting. When it rises, aspirin is needed.

IHD symptoms and treatment is an unpleasant, serious, chronic disease. But, people live with her for many years, which I wish for YOU too.

Come visit more often. I look forward to.

I suggest watching a video, prevention of coronary artery disease:

- This is a disease that is a violation of the blood circulation of the myocardium. It is caused by a lack of oxygen, which is carried through the coronary arteries. The manifestations of atherosclerosis prevent its entry: narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and the formation of plaques in them. In addition to hypoxia, that is, a lack of oxygen, tissues are deprived of some of the beneficial nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the heart.

Ischemic disease is one of the most common diseases that causes sudden death. It is much less common among women than among men. This is due to the presence in the body of the fairer sex of a number of hormones that prevent the development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels. With the onset of menopause, the hormonal background changes, so the possibility of developing coronary disease increases dramatically.

As part of the classification of coronary heart disease, the following forms are distinguished:

painless form. This myocardial ischemia is typical for people with a high pain threshold. Its development is facilitated by hard physical labor, alcohol abuse. The risk group includes the elderly, as well as the sick. This form of ischemia is painless, which is why it is often called dumb. However, in some cases, there may be discomfort in the chest. It occurs in the early stages of the development of the disease. The characteristic symptoms of painless ischemia of the heart are tachycardia, angina, sharp. Possible weakness in the left arm, shortness of breath or.

Primary cardiac arrest. It refers to sudden coronary death. It occurs immediately after a heart attack or within a few hours after it. This manifestation of coronary heart disease is promoted by overweight, smoking, arterial hypertension, and ventricular fibrillation becomes the cause. Allocate sudden coronary death with successful resuscitation or ending in death. In the first case, qualified medical assistance should be provided immediately. If defibrillation is not done in time, the patient dies.

Compressive or pressing pain, discomfort in the chest area - these are the main symptoms by which this form of coronary disease is determined. It often manifests itself in the form of heartburn, colic or nausea. Pain from the chest can radiate to the neck, left arm or shoulder on the same side, sometimes to the jaw and back. Discomfort occurs during active physical exertion, after eating, especially when overeating, a sharp increase in blood pressure. Angina causes stress and hypothermia. In all these situations, there is a need for more oxygen for the heart muscle, but due to clogged arteries, this is not possible. To cope with pain, which can last up to 15 minutes, it is enough to stop physical activity, if it was caused by them, or take short-acting nitrates. The most popular among these drugs is nitroglycerin.




Angina can be stable or unstable. In the first case, it is caused by the action of environmental factors: smoking, significant physical activity. You can cope with it with the help of nitroglycerin. If it becomes ineffective, this indicates the development of unstable angina. It is more dangerous, as it often causes a myocardial infarction or death of the patient. One type of unstable angina is new-onset angina. The main distinguishing feature of this form of the disease is that the onset of seizures began no later than a few months ago. The cause of angina pectoris for the first time can be a strong emotional or physical stress. In this case, the coronary arteries can function normally. The second group of patients is formed by patients who have undergone and have a pathology of the coronary arteries. If the development of the disease will occur imperceptibly, it is likely that it will develop into stable angina. But another option is also possible. Often, the first symptoms soon pass, the attacks stop, and over the next years, the patient does not manifest angina pectoris. At the same time, regular examinations are required to prevent unexpected myocardial infarction.

Cardiosclerosis can be diffuse and focal. In the first case, the scar tissue replaces the heart cells evenly, being distributed throughout the muscle. With focal cardiosclerosis, the connective tissue affects only certain areas. It is usually caused by a myocardial infarction.

Plaques in the arteries cause the development of atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis. The development of myocardial cardiosclerosis is promoted by the inflammatory process directly in the heart muscle. Increases the risk of disease overeating, smoking, sedentary lifestyle. For a long time, cardiosclerosis can be asymptomatic, especially in the case of an atherosclerotic form. Patients during rehabilitation and prevention should follow a diet that involves a minimum intake of salt, fats and liquids.

There are several main symptoms of cardiac ischemia:

Pain in the chest and behind the chest. It can be piercing, baking or compressive in nature. Unpleasant sensations arise unexpectedly and disappear after 3-15 minutes. In the early stages of coronary disease, discomfort may be mild. Severe pain is given to the left arm and shoulder, less often - to the jaw and right side. They appear during sports, or with strong emotional stress. To get rid of the discomfort that has arisen due to physical activity, it is enough to take a short break. When such measures do not help and the attacks become severe, they resort to the help of drugs.

Dyspnea. Like pain, it first appears during movement and is caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath is accompanied by each attack. The patient experiences it even at rest.

Heartbeat disorders. It becomes more frequent, and the blows in this case are felt more strongly. There may also be interruptions at some points. At the same time, the heartbeat is felt very weakly.

General malaise. The patient experiences, can fall into, quickly gets tired. There is increased sweating and nausea, turning into vomiting.

In the old days it was called "angina pectoris". This phrase is not accidental, because angina pectoris is not pain, but severe squeezing and burning in the chest and esophagus. It may be felt in the form of pain in the shoulder, arm, or wrist, but this is less common. Angina is easily confused with heartburn. It is not surprising that some try to cope with it and use soda for this. In cardiology, angina pectoris is considered the most striking symptom, indicating the presence of ischemic and preventing myocardial infarction. It is much worse when the disease proceeds without external manifestations. The asymptomatic form in most cases leads to death.

With a heart attack, there is a complete overlap of the lumen of the arteries with plaques. The pain increases at the same time gradually and after half an hour becomes unbearable. Unpleasant sensations may not go away for several hours. In the chronic form of coronary heart disease, the lumen of the vessel is not completely blocked, the attacks of pain are less long.

Psychological symptoms. With a heart attack, the patient may experience inexplicable fear and anxiety.

The main reasons for which cardiac ischemia may occur are as follows:

Atherosclerosis. The myocardium is enveloped by two main arteries, through which blood flows to the heart. They are called coronary and branch into many small vessels. If the lumen of at least one of them is partially or completely closed, certain parts of the heart muscle do not receive the necessary nutrients, and most importantly, oxygen. There are no more arteries supplying the heart with blood, so its work is disrupted, and coronary disease develops.

Clogging of the arteries occurs due to the artery that affects. It involves the formation of cholesterol plaques in the arteries that prevent the movement of blood. Performing active movements with a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle is accompanied by pain.

At this stage, ischemic disease is expressed in the form of angina pectoris. Gradually, myocardial metabolism worsens, pain intensifies, becomes longer and appears at rest. Heart failure develops, the patient suffers from shortness of breath. If the lumen of a coronary artery suddenly closes as a result of plaque rupture, blood stops flowing to the heart, a heart attack occurs. As a result, death is possible. The patient's condition after a heart attack and its consequences largely depend on the blockage of the artery. The larger the affected vessel, the worse the prognosis.

Wrong nutrition. The reason for the formation of plaques on the walls of blood vessels is an excess of cholesterol in the body that comes with food. In general, this substance is necessary, as it is used to create cell membranes and produce a number of hormones. It is deposited on the walls of blood vessels under the influence of stressful situations.

Emotional stress causes the production of a special substance. It, in turn, contributes to the deposition of cholesterol in the arteries. A properly formulated diet allows you to reduce its amount in the body. It is worth limiting the use of foods that have saturated fats: butter, sausage, fatty cheeses and meats. It is recommended to give preference to fats contained in fish, nuts, corn. Contributes to the development of cardiac ischemia quickly digestible and high-calorie food.

Bad habits. Alcohol abuse and smoking affects the work of the heart muscle. Cigarette smoke contains a large number of chemicals, among which are carbon monoxide, which makes it difficult to transport oxygen, and nicotine, which increases. In addition, smoking affects the formation of blood clots and the development of atherosclerosis.

Sedentary lifestyle or excessive exercise. Uneven motor activity creates an additional load on the heart. The cause of ischemia can be both physical inactivity and physical activity that exceeds the capabilities of the body. It is recommended to exercise regularly, individually determining the intensity, duration, frequency of training.

Obesity. Numerous studies have found a direct relationship between overweight and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is one of the factors contributing to the development of ischemia.

Diabetes. The risk of developing coronary heart disease is high for patients with type I and type II diabetes. They need to normalize carbohydrate metabolism in order to reduce risks.

psychosocial reasons. There is an opinion that people with higher social status and education are less exposed to coronary disease.

Diagnosis of coronary disease is carried out primarily on the basis of the patient's feelings. Most often they complain of burning and pain in the chest, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, swelling, which is a clear sign of heart failure. The patient experiences weakness, palpitations and rhythm disturbances. Be sure to perform electrocardiography if ischemia is suspected. Echocardiography is a research method that allows you to assess the state of the myocardium, determine the contractile activity of the muscle and blood flow. Blood tests are performed. Biochemical changes can reveal coronary heart disease. Conducting functional tests involves physical activity on the body, for example, walking up the stairs or doing exercises on the simulator. Thus, it is possible to identify pathologies of the heart at an early stage.

For the treatment of ischemia, the following groups of drugs are used in combination: antiplatelet agents, adrenoblockers, fibrates and statins. Specific means are selected by the doctor depending on the form of the disease. Antiplatelet agents improve blood flow, with the help of adrenoblockers, it is possible to reduce the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle and reduce oxygen consumption. The action of fibrates and statins is aimed at atherosclerotic plaques. Drugs reduce the rate of their appearance and prevent new formations on the walls of blood vessels.

The fight against angina pectoris is carried out with the help of nitrates. Widely used for the treatment of coronary disease and natural lipid-lowering drugs. Anticoagulants affect the formation of blood clots, and diuretics help remove excess fluid from the body.

Since plaques in the vessels cause their narrowing, it is possible to artificially increase the lumen in the coronary arteries. For this, stenting and balloon angioplasty are performed. During these bloodless surgical interventions, the lumen in the vessels expands, and blood flow normalizes. These methods have replaced the traditional shunting, which today is carried out only in some forms of coronary disease. During such an operation, the coronary arteries are connected to other vessels below the place where the blood flow in them is disturbed.

In addition to drug treatment and general therapy, the patient needs moderate physical activity. Depending on the form of ischemia, a doctor develops a set of exercises. After all, excessive motor activity increases the oxygen demand of the heart muscle and has a negative impact on the development of the disease.

In case of an unexpected attack while walking or playing sports, you should stop and rest, drink a sedative medicine and go out into the fresh air. Then you should take a nitroglycerin tablet.

This drug works within 5 minutes. If the pain does not go away, you need to drink 2 more tablets. The ineffectiveness of nitroglycerin indicates serious problems, so if there is no improvement in the condition, you should urgently go to the hospital. Prevention of coronary heart disease involves avoiding alcohol, smoking, proper balanced nutrition and regular exercise. It is necessary to monitor and control your weight. The presence of positive emotions and the absence of stress is important.

The basic principles of the diet for ischemia are as follows:

Patients with coronary disease will have to minimize salt, sugar, sweets and sweets, confectionery, that is, all sources of simple carbohydrates, fatty meat, caviar, spicy and salty foods, chocolate, coffee and cocoa in the diet.

The most important thing is to limit the consumption of foods containing high amounts of cholesterol and fat. Eat little, but often.

Be sure to eat foods that contain ascorbic acid, A, B, C, potassium, calcium.

Vegetable oil used for cooking should be replaced with corn, olive oil. It is much more useful, besides it contains fatty acids that have a positive effect on blood circulation.

The diet should be dominated by dairy products, with the exception of butter, cereals, seafood, vegetable soups, low-fat sea fish, such as cod, protein omelet, turkey, chicken.

• Dishes are recommended to be steamed. In addition, products can be boiled or stewed.

Below is the usual menu for 7 days for patients with ischemia of the heart:

Monday

Breakfast - a slice of whole grain bread, a glass of weak tea without sugar

Lunch - vegetable salad, a piece of boiled chicken without skin, rice, a glass of fruit juice

Dinner - cottage cheese casserole without sugar, a glass of kefir

Tuesday

Breakfast - multi-protein omelet, apple, tea

Lunch - baked potato, steamed cod, slice of rye bread, tea

Dinner - vegetable stew, unsweetened yogurt

Wednesday

Breakfast - oatmeal, fruit juice

Second breakfast - cottage cheese with fruits

Lunch - vegetable salad dressed with olive oil, roasted turkey, tea

Dinner - milk soup, tea

Thursday

Breakfast - boiled egg, slice of whole grain bread, natural yogurt

Second breakfast - apple

Lunch - baked chicken, buckwheat, tea

Dinner - vegetable soup, a glass of kefir

Friday

Breakfast - oatmeal, apple, juice

Second breakfast - a glass of kefir

Lunch - soaked herring, baked, tea

Dinner - vegetable salad dressed with olive oil, a glass of milk

Saturday

Breakfast - cottage cheese casserole with fruit, tea

Second breakfast - natural yogurt

Lunch - boiled sea bass, vegetable salad, a glass of milk

Dinner - milk soup, tea

Sunday

Breakfast - millet porridge, natural yogurt

Second breakfast - protein omelette

Lunch - turkey and baked potatoes, tea

Dinner - vegetable soup, a glass of yogurt

Education: In 2005, she completed an internship at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov and received a diploma in Neurology. In 2009, she completed her postgraduate studies in the specialty "Nervous Diseases".

Fedorov Leonid Grigorievich

Ischemic heart disease is a common ailment in which blood flow to the heart muscle is disrupted. Because of this, the body suffers from a lack of oxygen and nutrients, its cells gradually die, and functions are impaired. The acute form of the disease poses a serious danger to human health and life. It is important to consult a doctor at the first manifestations.

What is ischemic disease

Pathology is characterized by an acute or chronic violation of blood flow to the myocardium. A problem arises in connection with the lesion, which makes it difficult or completely disrupts the flow of arterial blood to the organ.

The acute form of the disease is. In the chronic course of ischemia, they are diagnosed.

Causes and risk factors

The development of ischemic disorders occurs under the influence of:

1. atherosclerosis. Blood flow to the heart muscle is provided by two circumflex arteries. These are coronary vessels with many branches. With partial or complete closure of the lumen of any of these vessels, nutrients and oxygen do not enter certain parts of the myocardium. The arteries do not supply the heart with blood and ischemia develops. Blockage of blood vessels occurs due to atherosclerosis. Pathology is characterized by the formation of cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries, which is why normal blood flow is impossible. When a person is physically active, the need for oxygen increases, the vessels cannot provide this need, so he suffers from pain. The stage is accompanied by development. Gradually, the metabolic processes in the myocardium are disturbed, the symptoms intensify, they begin to appear even at rest. Development is taking place. Sudden blockage of the lumen of the coronary artery due to the detachment of the plaque leads to the cessation of blood flow to the heart, a heart attack develops. The prognosis depends on the size of the damaged artery and the focus of necrosis.
2. Wrong nutrition. If a lot of cholesterol enters the body with food, then it begins to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. This substance is necessary for the body, as it acts as a building material for cells. During stress, the body begins to produce a substance that contributes to the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. To avoid this, it is necessary to monitor its intake into the body. First of all, reduce your intake of animal fats. The risk of ischemia increases with the use of high-calorie and quickly digestible foods.
3. Bad habits. Alcoholic drinks and smoking negatively affect the cardiovascular system. Cigarette smoke contains many chemical compounds that impede the delivery of oxygen to organs and tissues, and nicotine contributes to heart rhythm disturbances. Smoking contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and the formation of blood clots.
4. Sedentary lifestyle or excessive exercise. As a result of uneven motor activity, there is an increase in the load on the heart. It is advisable to exercise regularly, determining the appropriate duration and intensity of training for yourself.
5. Obesity. Studies have shown that overweight is one of the main factors contributing to the development of ischemia.
6. Diabetes. Improves prognosis control of carbohydrate metabolism and taking action in case of deviations.
7. psychosocial reasons. Some suggest that people with high social status are less likely to develop coronary disease.

A person is able to influence most of these causes and reduce their negative impact on the body.

Types and forms

Cardiac ischemia can occur in different forms.

Painless

This condition is observed in people with a high pain threshold. It occurs with heavy physical labor, alcohol abuse, in old age, with diabetes. A person does not feel severe pain, only slight discomfort is possible. Patients experience increased heart rate, angina pectoris, low blood pressure, and weakness.

Primary cardiac arrest

It is also called sudden coronary death. Lethal outcome is observed some time after the attack. This form is provoked by smoking, hypertension, obesity. The patient develops ventricular fibrillation, from which he dies if help is not provided in time.

angina pectoris

This type of ischemic disorder is accompanied by pressing, squeezing and burning pains in the chest, which can spread to other parts of the body. Patients feel nausea and intestinal colic. Discomfort is associated mainly with physical activity, overeating, a sharp rise in pressure in the arteries.

The problem occurs during stress, hypothermia and other situations in which the demand for oxygen in the myocardium increases.

Due to damaged arteries, the body does not receive enough blood, so pain occurs. The attack lasts about 15 minutes. To alleviate the condition, you need to stop physical activity and take a Nitroglycerin tablet.

The disease occurs in a stable or unstable form. The first cause bad habits and excessive stress. The pain is relieved by nitrates. If there is no effect from Nitroglycerin, it is suspected. In this case, the risk of heart attack and death of the patient increases.

Unstable angina, in turn, happens:

• First appeared. It is characterized by the appearance of seizures over the next few months. The condition worsens with emotional or physical stress. At the same time, the state of the coronary arteries was not disturbed.
• Post-infarction. If a person has suffered an attack of acute circulatory disorders, then after a few weeks he has signs of angina pectoris. Attacks may stop or develop into stable angina.
• Progressive. In this case, the patient's condition gradually worsens, attacks are observed more often, and the pain becomes more intense. There is shortness of breath and. With the development of the disease, for the appearance of an attack, insignificant loads are sufficient. The pains appear at night, and during stress intensify. Nitroglycerin does not bring relief. This form may have a different prognosis, but usually indicates the onset of a heart attack. Although sometimes the state of health improves and remission occurs.

myocardial infarction

This is an acute form of ischemia. It occurs with strong emotional experiences, physical exertion. In this case, the blood flow to a certain part of the heart is completely stopped. The condition may last for several minutes or hours. During this period, oxygen and nutrients are not supplied to the cells, which is why they die.

The patient suffers from severe chest pains and nitrates do not help alleviate the condition. Not always a heart attack is associated with stress. Sometimes an attack occurs in a dream or in the morning.

The person suffers from nausea with vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen. Diabetics do not feel any symptoms - their attack goes unnoticed. It can be detected using an echocardiogram or echocardiography.

If there is a suspicion of a heart attack, then the patient must be urgently hospitalized. He is prescribed medication and bed rest. Thanks to modern methods of treatment, the rehabilitation period after a heart attack has been reduced several times.

Even if there are no symptoms, the patient must take medication throughout his life.

Cardiosclerosis

Ischemic disease also occurs in the form. As a result of non-blood flow, tissue dies, foci of necrosis are replaced by connective tissue. The area with scar tissue is not reduced, which leads to its hypertrophy and deformation of the valves. This disrupts the ability of the heart to pump blood and develops heart failure.

Cardiosclerosis can be evenly distributed throughout the heart muscle or affect only certain areas. Usually the disease occurs after a heart attack. Pathology causes atherosclerotic deposits on the vessels, inflammatory processes in the heart muscle.

The risk of developing a problem increases if you overeat, smoke, move little. For a long time, the pathological process proceeds without any symptoms, so it is necessary to be examined periodically.

What is coronary heart disease and how is it treated?

Ischemic heart disease is a disease that is a violation of the blood circulation of the myocardium. It is caused by a lack of oxygen, which is carried through the coronary arteries. The manifestations of atherosclerosis prevent its entry: narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and the formation of plaques in them. In addition to hypoxia, that is, a lack of oxygen, tissues are deprived of some of the beneficial nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the heart.

IHD is one of the most common diseases that causes sudden death. It is much less common among women than among men. This is due to the presence in the body of the fairer sex of a number of hormones that prevent the development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels. With the onset of menopause, the hormonal background changes, so the possibility of developing coronary disease increases dramatically.

What it is?

Ischemic heart disease is a lack of blood supply to the myocardium (heart muscle).

The disease is very dangerous - for example, in acute development, coronary heart disease immediately leads to myocardial infarction, which causes death in middle-aged and elderly people.

Causes and risk factors

The vast majority (97-98%) of clinical cases of coronary artery disease is due to atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of varying severity: from a slight narrowing of the lumen by an atherosclerotic plaque to complete vascular occlusion. At 75% coronary stenosis, the cells of the heart muscle react to a lack of oxygen, and patients develop angina pectoris.

Other causes of coronary artery disease are thromboembolism or spasm of the coronary arteries, usually developing against the background of an already existing atherosclerotic lesion. Cardiospasm exacerbates the obstruction of the coronary vessels and causes manifestations of coronary heart disease.

Factors contributing to the occurrence of IHD include:

1. Hyperlipidemia - contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 2-5 times. The most dangerous in terms of the risk of coronary artery disease are hyperlipidemia types IIa, IIb, III, IV, as well as a decrease in the content of alpha-lipoproteins.
2. Arterial hypertension - increases the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease by 2-6 times. In patients with systolic blood pressure = 180 mm Hg. Art. and above, coronary heart disease occurs up to 8 times more often than in hypotensive patients and people with normal blood pressure.
3. Smoking - according to various sources, cigarette smoking increases the incidence of coronary artery disease by 1.5-6 times. Mortality from coronary heart disease among men aged 35-64 who smoke 20-30 cigarettes daily is 2 times higher than among non-smokers of the same age group.
4. Physical inactivity and obesity - physically inactive people are 3 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those who lead an active lifestyle. When physical inactivity is combined with overweight, this risk increases significantly.
5. Diabetes mellitus, incl. latent form, increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 2-4 times.

Factors posing a threat to the development of coronary artery disease should also include aggravated heredity, male gender and advanced age of patients. With a combination of several predisposing factors, the degree of risk in the development of coronary heart disease increases significantly. The causes and rate of development of ischemia, its duration and severity, the initial state of the cardiovascular system of the individual determine the occurrence of one form or another of coronary heart disease.

Signs of coronary artery disease

The disease under consideration can proceed quite secretly, therefore it is recommended to pay attention to even minor changes in the work of the heart. Warning symptoms are:

• intermittent feeling of lack of air;
• feeling anxious for no apparent reason;
• general weakness;
• recurrent chest pain that may radiate to the arm, shoulder blade, or neck;
• feeling of tightness in the chest;
• burning sensation or heaviness in the chest;
• nausea and vomiting of unknown etiology.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease

IHD is the most extensive pathology of the heart and has many forms.

1. Angina. The patient develops pain or discomfort behind the sternum, in the left half of the chest, heaviness and a feeling of pressure in the region of the heart - as if something heavy had been placed on the chest. In the old days they said that a person has "angina pectoris". The pain can be different in nature: pressing, squeezing, stabbing. It can give (radiate) to the left arm, under the left shoulder blade, lower jaw, stomach area and be accompanied by the appearance of severe weakness, cold sweat, a sense of fear of death. Sometimes, during exercise, it is not pain that occurs, but a feeling of lack of air, passing at rest. The duration of an angina attack is usually a few minutes. Since pain in the region of the heart often occurs when moving, a person is forced to stop. In this regard, angina pectoris is figuratively called "the disease of shop window observers" - after a few minutes of rest, the pain, as a rule, disappears.
2. Myocardial infarction. Terrible and often disabling form of coronary artery disease. With myocardial infarction, there is a strong, often tearing, pain in the region of the heart or behind the sternum, extending to the left shoulder blade, arm, lower jaw. The pain lasts more than 30 minutes, when taking nitroglycerin, it does not completely disappear and only briefly decreases. There is a feeling of lack of air, cold sweat, severe weakness, lowering blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fear may appear. Reception of nitropreparations does not help or assist. The part of the heart muscle deprived of nutrition becomes dead, loses its strength, elasticity and ability to contract. And the healthy part of the heart continues to work with maximum tension and, contracting, can break the dead area. It is no coincidence that a heart attack is colloquially referred to as a heart rupture! It is only in this state that a person has to make even the slightest physical effort, as he is on the verge of death. Thus, the meaning of the treatment is that the place of the rupture is healed and the heart is able to work normally further. This is achieved both with the help of medications and with the help of specially selected physical exercises.
3. Sudden cardiac or coronary death is the most severe of all forms of CAD. It is characterized by high mortality. Death occurs almost instantly or within the next 6 hours from the onset of an attack of severe chest pain, but usually within an hour. The causes of such a cardiac catastrophe are various kinds of arrhythmias, complete blockage of the coronary arteries, severe electrical instability of the myocardium. The causative factor is alcohol intake. As a rule, patients do not even know that they have coronary artery disease, but they have many risk factors.
4. Heart failure. Heart failure is manifested by the inability of the heart to provide sufficient blood flow to the organs by reducing contractile activity. The basis of heart failure is a violation of the contractile function of the myocardium, both due to its death during a heart attack, and in violation of the rhythm and conduction of the heart. In any case, the heart contracts inadequately and its function is unsatisfactory. Heart failure is manifested by shortness of breath, weakness during exertion and at rest, swelling of the legs, enlargement of the liver and swelling of the jugular veins. The doctor may hear wheezing in the lungs.
5. Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disorders. Another form of IBS. It has a large number of different types. They are based on a violation of the conduction of an impulse along the conduction system of the heart. It is manifested by sensations of interruptions in the work of the heart, a feeling of "fading", "gurgling" in the chest. Heart rhythm and conduction disturbances can occur under the influence of endocrine, metabolic disorders, intoxication and drug exposure. In some cases, arrhythmias can occur with structural changes in the conduction system of the heart and myocardial diseases.

Diagnostics

First of all, the diagnosis of coronary disease is carried out on the basis of the patient's feelings. Most often they complain of burning and pain in the chest, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, swelling, which is a clear sign of heart failure. The patient experiences weakness, palpitations and rhythm disturbances. Be sure to perform electrocardiography if ischemia is suspected.

Echocardiography is a research method that allows you to assess the state of the myocardium, determine the contractile activity of the muscle and blood flow. Blood tests are performed. Biochemical changes can reveal coronary heart disease. Conducting functional tests involves physical activity on the body, for example, walking up the stairs or doing exercises on the simulator. Thus, it is possible to identify pathologies of the heart at an early stage.

How to treat ischemic heart disease?

First of all, the treatment of coronary heart disease depends on the clinical form. For example, although some general principles of treatment are used for angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, nevertheless, the tactics of treatment, the selection of an activity regimen and specific drugs can be fundamentally different. However, there are some general areas that are important for all forms of coronary artery disease.

Medical treatment

There are a number of groups of drugs that can be indicated for use in one form or another of coronary artery disease. In the US, there is a formula for the treatment of coronary artery disease: "A-B-C". It involves the use of a triad of drugs, namely antiplatelet agents, β-blockers and hypocholesterolemic drugs.

1. β-blockers. Due to the action on β-arenoreceptors, blockers reduce the heart rate and, as a result, myocardial oxygen consumption. Independent randomized trials confirm an increase in life expectancy when taking β-blockers and a decrease in the frequency of cardiovascular events, including repeated ones. At present, it is not advisable to use the drug atenolol, since, according to randomized trials, it does not improve the prognosis. β-blockers are contraindicated in concomitant pulmonary pathology, bronchial asthma, COPD. The following are the most popular β-blockers with proven prognostic properties in coronary artery disease.
2. Antiplatelet agents. Antiplatelet agents prevent the aggregation of platelets and erythrocytes, reduce their ability to stick together and adhere to the vascular endothelium. Antiplatelet agents facilitate the deformation of erythrocytes when passing through the capillaries, improve blood flow.
3. fibrates. They belong to a class of drugs that increase the anti-atherogenic fraction of lipoproteins - HDL, with a decrease in which increases mortality from coronary artery disease. They are used to treat dyslipidemia IIa, IIb, III, IV, V. They differ from statins in that they mainly reduce triglycerides and can increase the HDL fraction. Statins predominantly lower LDL and do not significantly affect VLDL and HDL. Therefore, for the most effective treatment of macrovascular complications, a combination of statins and fibrates is required.
4. Statins. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are used to reduce the rate of development of existing atherosclerotic plaques and prevent the occurrence of new ones. These drugs have been proven to have a positive effect on life expectancy, and these drugs reduce the frequency and severity of cardiovascular events. The target cholesterol level in patients with coronary heart disease should be lower than in those without coronary artery disease, and equal to 4.5 mmol/l. The target level of LDL in patients with coronary artery disease is 2.5 mmol/l.
5. Nitrates. The drugs in this group are derivatives of glycerol, triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides. The mechanism of action is the influence of the nitro group (NO) on the contractile activity of vascular smooth muscles. Nitrates mainly act on the venous wall, reducing the preload on the myocardium (by expanding the vessels of the venous bed and depositing blood). A side effect of nitrates is a decrease in blood pressure and headaches. Nitrates are not recommended for use with blood pressure below 100/60 mm Hg. Art. In addition, it is now reliably known that the intake of nitrates does not improve the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease, that is, does not lead to an increase in survival, and is currently used as a drug to relieve symptoms of angina pectoris. Intravenous drip of nitroglycerin allows you to effectively deal with the symptoms of angina pectoris, mainly against the background of high blood pressure.
6. lipid-lowering drugs. The effectiveness of complex therapy of patients suffering from coronary heart disease with the use of policosanol (20 mg per day) and aspirin (125 mg per day) has been proven. As a result of therapy, there was a persistent decrease in LDL levels, a decrease in blood pressure, and normalization of weight.
7. Diuretics. Diuretics are designed to reduce the load on the myocardium by reducing the volume of circulating blood due to the accelerated removal of fluid from the body.
8. Anticoagulants. Anticoagulants inhibit the appearance of fibrin threads, they prevent the formation of blood clots, help stop the growth of already existing blood clots, increase the effect of endogenous enzymes that destroy fibrin on blood clots.
9. loop diuretics. Reduce the reabsorption of Na +, K +, Cl - in the thick ascending part of the loop of Henle, thereby reducing the reabsorption (reabsorption) of water. They have a fairly pronounced fast action, as a rule, they are used as emergency drugs (for forced diuresis).
10. Antiarrhythmic drugs. Amiodarone belongs to the III group of antiarrhythmic drugs, has a complex antiarrhythmic effect. This drug acts on Na + and K + channels of cardiomyocytes, and also blocks α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Thus, amiodarone has antianginal and antiarrhythmic effects. According to randomized clinical trials, the drug increases the life expectancy of patients who regularly take it. When taking tablet forms of amiodarone, the clinical effect is observed after approximately 2-3 days. The maximum effect is achieved after 8-12 weeks. This is due to the long half-life of the drug (2-3 months). In this regard, this drug is used in the prevention of arrhythmias and is not a means of emergency care.
11. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Acting on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), this group of drugs blocks the formation of angiotensin II from angiotensin I, thus preventing the implementation of the effects of angiotensin II, that is, leveling vasospasm. This ensures that the target blood pressure figures are maintained. The drugs of this group have a nephro- and cardioprotective effect.

Other treatments for coronary artery disease

Other non-drug treatments:

1. Hirudotherapy. It is a method of treatment based on the use of antiplatelet properties of leech saliva. This method is an alternative and has not been clinically tested for compliance with the requirements of evidence-based medicine. Currently, it is used relatively rarely in Russia, it is not included in the standards of medical care for coronary artery disease, it is used, as a rule, at the request of patients. The potential positive effects of this method are the prevention of thrombosis. It should be noted that when treated according to approved standards, this task is performed using heparin prophylaxis.
2. Stem cell treatment. When stem cells are introduced into the body, it is expected that the pluripotent stem cells that have entered the patient's body will differentiate into the missing cells of the myocardium or vascular adventitia. Stem cells actually have this ability, but they can turn into any other cells in the human body. Despite numerous statements by the supporters of this method of therapy, it is still far from practical application in medicine, and there are no clinical studies that meet the standards of evidence-based medicine, which would confirm the effectiveness of this technique. WHO notes this method as promising, but does not yet recommend it for practical use. In the vast majority of countries in the world, this technique is experimental, and is not included in the standards of medical care for patients with coronary artery disease.
3. The method of shock wave therapy. The impact of shock waves of low power leads to myocardial revascularization. An extracorporeal source of a focused acoustic wave allows you to influence the heart remotely, causing "therapeutic angiogenesis" (vascular formation) in the area of ​​myocardial ischemia. The impact of UVT has a double effect - short-term and long-term. First, the vessels dilate, and blood flow improves. But the most important thing begins later - new vessels appear in the affected area, which provide a long-term improvement. Low-intensity shock waves induce shear stress in the vascular wall. This stimulates the release of vascular growth factors, starting the process of growth of new vessels that feed the heart, improving myocardial microcirculation and reducing the effects of angina pectoris. The results of such treatment are theoretically a decrease in the functional class of angina pectoris, an increase in exercise tolerance, a decrease in the frequency of attacks and the need for drugs.
4. quantum therapy. It is a therapy by exposure to laser radiation. The effectiveness of this method has not been proven, an independent clinical study has not been conducted. Equipment manufacturers claim that quantum therapy is effective for almost all patients. Drug manufacturers report on studies that prove the low effectiveness of quantum therapy. In 2008, this method is not included in the standards of medical care for coronary artery disease, it is carried out mainly at the expense of patients. It is impossible to assert the effectiveness of this method without an independent open randomized study.

Nutrition for IHD

The menu of a patient with diagnosed coronary heart disease should be based on the principle of rational nutrition, balanced consumption of foods with a low content of cholesterol, fat and salt.

It is very important to include the following products in the menu:

• red caviar, but not in large quantities - a maximum of 100 grams per week;
• seafood;
• any vegetable salads with vegetable oil;
• lean meats - turkey, veal, rabbit meat;
• skinny varieties of fish - pike perch, cod, perch;
• fermented milk products - kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk with a low percentage of fat content;
• any hard and soft cheeses, but only unsalted and mild;
• any fruits, berries and dishes from them;
• egg yolks - no more than 4 pieces per week;
• quail eggs - no more than 5 pieces per week;
• any cereals, except for semolina and rice.

It is necessary to exclude or significantly reduce the use of:

• meat and fish dishes, including broths and soups;
• rich and confectionery products;
• Sahara;
• semolina and rice dishes;
• animal by-products (brains, kidneys, etc.);
• spicy and salty snacks;
• chocolate
• cocoa;
• coffee.

Eating with diagnosed coronary heart disease should be fractional - 5-7 times a day, but in small portions. If there is excess weight, then you must definitely get rid of it - this is a heavy burden on the kidneys, liver and heart.

Alternative methods of treatment of coronary artery disease

For the treatment of the heart, traditional healers made up a lot of different recipes:

1. 10 lemons and 5 heads of garlic are taken per liter of honey. Lemons and garlic are crushed and mixed with honey. The composition is kept for a week in a dark, cool place, after insisting, take four teaspoons once a day.
2. Hawthorn and motherwort (1 tablespoon each) are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (250 ml). After a couple of hours, the product is filtered. How to treat ischemia of the heart? It is necessary half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner to drink 2 tbsp. spoons of infusion. It is advisable to additionally brew a decoction of wild rose.
3. Mix 500 g of vodka and honey and heat until foam forms. Take a pinch of motherwort, marsh cudweed, valerian, knotweed, chamomile. Brew the grass, let it stand, strain and mix with honey and vodka. To accept in the morning and in the evening at first on a teaspoon, in a week - on the dining room. The course of treatment is a year.
4. Mix a spoonful of grated horseradish and a spoonful of honey. Take one hour before meals and drink water. The course of treatment is 2 months.

Traditional medicine will help if you follow two principles - regularity and strict adherence to the recipe.

Surgery

With certain parameters of coronary heart disease, there are indications for coronary bypass surgery - an operation in which the blood supply to the myocardium is improved by connecting the coronary vessels below the site of their lesion with external vessels. The best known is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in which the aorta is connected to segments of the coronary arteries. For this, autografts (usually the great saphenous vein) are often used as shunts.

It is also possible to use balloon dilatation of blood vessels. In this operation, the manipulator is introduced into the coronary vessels through a puncture of the artery (usually the femoral or radial), and the vessel lumen is expanded by means of a balloon filled with a contrast agent, the operation is, in fact, bougienage of the coronary vessels. Currently, “pure” balloon angioplasty without subsequent stent implantation is practically not used, due to low efficiency in the long-term period. In case of incorrect movement of the medical device, a fatal outcome is possible.

Prevention and lifestyle

To prevent the development of the most severe forms of coronary heart disease, you need to follow only three rules:

1. Leave your bad habits in the past. Smoking and drinking alcohol is like a blow that will definitely lead to a worsening of the condition. Even an absolutely healthy person does not get anything good from smoking and drinking alcohol, to say nothing of a sick heart.
2. Move more. Nobody says that you need to set Olympic records, but it is necessary to abandon the car, public transport and the elevator in favor of walking. You can’t immediately load your body with kilometers of roads traveled - let everything be within reason. In order for physical activity not to cause a deterioration in the condition (and this happens with ischemia!), be sure to get advice from your doctor about the correctness of the exercises.
3. Take care of your nerves. Try to avoid stressful situations, learn to calmly respond to troubles, do not succumb to emotional outbursts. Yes, it's hard, but it is this tactic that can save a life. Talk to your doctor about taking sedatives or herbal teas that have a calming effect.

Ischemic heart disease is not only a recurring pain, a long-term violation of the coronary circulation leads to irreversible changes in the myocardium and internal organs, and sometimes to death. Treatment of the disease is long, sometimes involves lifelong medication. Therefore, heart disease is easier to prevent by introducing some restrictions into your life and optimizing your lifestyle.

Signs of coronary disease in men are often hidden: a person may not suspect that he is developing a pathology. You need to be attentive to your own health, pay attention to the signals of the body. Cardiovascular disease is life threatening. Coronary heart disease is common among men: they suffer 2 times more often than women. IHD manifests itself in different ways: some people have alarming symptoms, while others have mild or absent symptoms. If coronary disease is asymptomatic, it means that it progresses and will give complications in the future. With untimely treatment, a fatal outcome is possible.

Pathology is divided into several types depending on the symptoms. There are many factors that provoke coronary disease. IHD is divided into stable and unstable angina, primary and recurrent myocardial infarction, and it can also manifest itself in the form of postinfarction cardiosclerosis and heart failure. Symptoms of coronary heart disease occur due to the fact that the heart muscle (myocardium) is poorly saturated with oxygen. Oxygen starvation of the myocardium occurs with atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries: in this case, the lumen of the veins narrows. It is associated with spasm of arteries not affected by atherosclerosis.

Also, the disease occurs due to impaired blood circulation in the myocardium. Another reason for oxygen starvation of the myocardium is a violation of blood clotting. Atherosclerosis has an undulating course, in connection with this, the symptoms of coronary disease are unstable: they can increase and subside. As we have already said, coronary heart disease may be asymptomatic, but alarming signals may appear during physical and psycho-emotional stress.

Risk factors and causes of pathology

Symptoms of coronary artery disease are more common in men, so gender is a predisposing factor. In the female body there are special hormones: they block atherosclerosis. IHD and atherosclerosis often develop in people over 45 years of age. In the development of ischemia, heredity plays a role. It is worth noting that if a man smokes a lot, the functioning of the organs is disrupted. Due to bad habits, the heart muscle can suffer.

Ischemia develops in men who smoke 15 cigarettes a day.

The next predisposing factor is high cholesterol. To avoid this problem, you need to regularly take tests, and, if necessary, start treatment. If the body has high cholesterol, serious diseases can develop. In some men, ischemia appears due to excess weight. A sedentary lifestyle also predisposes to the disease. Factors of development of ischemia can be isolated or superimposed on each other.

Manifestations of ischemia

Consider the signs of the disease. The prognosis of coronary artery disease depends on its stage and severity of symptoms. If ischemia occurs in an asymptomatic form, the person seeks help late. In this regard, the forecast is not as favorable as it could be. The latent form of ischemia entails the appearance of plaques on the vascular walls, but the lumen of the vessels will narrow gradually.

A form of ischemia is angina pectoris: with such a pathology, pressure is felt in the chest, pain can radiate to the arm, radiate to the back, shoulders.

1. With this pathology, shortness of breath appears, in particular, when walking fast.
2. Some men have high blood pressure.
3. If ischemia is latent, there is a high probability of plaque growth in the veins. In the future, the venous lumen will be half closed. If coronary disease is manifested by symptoms, a person feels pain in the heart, the functioning of the organ itself is disrupted. Gradually, the heart muscle becomes thinner. If we consider the narrowing of the arteries, it occurs abruptly, the lumen of the vessels closes completely.
4. With myocardial infarction, pain in the sternum is felt. The pressure rises, atrial fibrillation appears. At any stage of ischemia, a heart attack can occur. Even if symptoms do not appear, the disease still progresses, and the symptoms intensify.
5. With ischemia of the heart, seizures appear. If we consider seizures separately, it is worth noting that they are more common in men, since they have an increased pain threshold. Ischemia develops in those who work hard, overstrain physically. In order to avoid cardiovascular pathologies, including ischemia, you need to fully relax, allocate enough time for sleep.
6. The development of ischemia contributes to smoking, alcohol abuse.

Clinical picture of the disease

An important sign of ischemia: chest discomfort. With such a pathology, a man quickly gets tired, as a rule, he cannot do hard work. Ischemia is characterized by increased pressure, palpitations, pain in the chest and heart. With such a disease, shortness of breath appears, jumps in blood pressure are observed (it is worth noting that pressure can drop sharply). If a man has severe ischemia, he often feels dizzy. Some patients experience visual disturbances, heartburn, and it hurts to swallow. He is nauseous and has regular urge to vomit. If the pathology is asymptomatic, the person quickly gets tired. It is important to pay attention to shortness of breath. In most cases, a man cannot explain what caused it.

The peculiarity of ischemia is that it gives symptoms characteristic of indigestion. Discomfort during exercise is possible. After it stops, the symptoms disappear. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced. There is cardiac obstruction. It is important to identify ischemia at the asymptomatic stage, then it will be possible to start treatment in a timely manner and improve the prognosis. Latent ischemia is detected during a medical examination. If the pathology is diagnosed in a timely manner, it will be possible to avoid progression. Treatment in advanced stages is difficult. In this case, the doctor prescribes a lot of medicines and, if necessary, prescribes an operation.

Symptoms of progressive ischemia

The most common form of ischemia in men is angina pectoris. Previously, this disease was called "angina pectoris". Symptoms of angina pectoris appear depending on what caused it. If a person has stable angina pectoris, he is disturbed by pressing pains in the heart. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the arm, left forearm.

Hypothermia may be the cause of angina pectoris. The disease develops as a result of intense physical exertion. Unpleasant sensations with angina are given to the back, shoulder blade. A man may experience shortness of breath, in which there will be a lack of air. Pain is localized in the left side of the sternum. With progressive angina, mental health is disturbed: a person is often nervous, breaks down. This disease occurs in people who abuse alcohol and spend a lot of time in conditions of heavy physical exertion. The predisposing factor is hypertension. If we talk about shortness of breath, it may be accompanied by suffocation.

Against the background of angina pectoris, tachycardia often occurs. Unstable angina is dangerous because it can be asymptomatic. In this case, the patient will feel tired, unwell. It is worth noting that the progression of unstable angina is dangerous. Learn to recognize the symptoms of ischemia and cardiac obstruction. It is important not to confuse cardiovascular diseases with pathologies associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the forms and stages of ischemia, a person must feel the state of his body.

stable angina

The stable form of the disease has the same type of symptoms. If the symptoms are rapidly increasing, the development of unstable angina pectoris, a pathology that is life-threatening, occurs. You need to start treatment as soon as possible. Attacks of pathology are difficult to stop with medicines. If the signs of the disease grow in waves and last 1-2 hours, blood pressure begins to jump, the heart rate changes. In this case, we can judge the progression of unstable angina. A dangerous condition can turn into a myocardial infarction. In the acute form of the ischemic process, blood circulation in the vessels is disturbed. Tissue hypoxia develops gradually.

Symptoms of ischemia can pass within 10 minutes, in other cases they last more than an hour. With this disease, blood clots of the heart vessels can appear. Hypoxic starvation causes vital cells to die. If a person feels severe pain in the sternum, you need to see a doctor. Common symptoms of ischemia are heart pain, dizziness, and nausea. Spasmodic abdominal pain may also be present. In some patients, respiratory functions are disturbed, suffocation appears.

Symptoms of ischemia develop in different ways: they may appear once and not remind of themselves in the future. The disease leads to excessive sweating. On the ECG, a specialist can diagnose post-infarction changes: they are a sign that there is an accreting scar in the heart. Angina requires immediate treatment. If shortness of breath and spasm are detected, resembling gastrointestinal disorders, you should consult a doctor. It is worth noting that against the background of such symptoms, pain in the extremities may be present.

About prevention

Ischemia may occur due to oxygen starvation of the myocardium. The cause of the disease is coronary insufficiency: the disease develops due to the fact that the coronary vessels undergo deformation. To prevent ischemia, you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol. It is important to control blood pressure, treat diseases associated with high cholesterol. Ischemic disease can occur against the background of diabetes mellitus, in connection with this, competent treatment of this disease is necessary. It is recommended to lead a mobile lifestyle.