Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease…sounds confusing doesn’t it?  Well, no worries because with Total Home Health we always try to come up with the best and most understandable ways to educate our patients.  Teaching and making patients like you aware of how different health conditions can impact your life, may prevent future complications and chronic conditions if the information we provide you with is put to good use. 

So what is coronary artery disease?  The major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and other nutrients it needs are referred to as your coronary arteries.  When these coronary arteries become damaged or diseased, your will end up with coronary artery disease.  As time passes, there is plaque that floats throughout your arteries and bloodstream that is usually to blame for development of coronary artery disease.  There are times when this plaque will begin getting stuck to the walls of your arteries and continue to accumulate over time.  With this build up of plaque, it will begin to compromise how well blood flows throughout your arteries and begin to cause problems.  With decreased blood flow you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other symptoms. 

Don’t get too disgruntled if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease just yet because there are plenty of ways you can prevent and treat this condition…starting by modifying some aspects of your lifestyle.  Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease to be aware of include:

·      Chest pain.  You may begin to feel tightness in your chest, which is pain referred to as angina.  This pain is usually triggered by physical or emotional stress in your life and it generally will go away within minutes after your stop any stressful activities. 

·      Shortness of breath.  If your heart isn’t able to pump enough blood to meet the demands of your body, you may develop shortness of breath to attempt to compensate.

·      Heart attack.  If a coronary artery were to become completely blocked with plaque this would mean no blood would be able to flow to the areas in which it was needed and that area would no longer function correctly, which would lead to a heart attack.  The classic symptoms of a heart attack including crushing pressure in your chest and pain that radiates into your shoulder and down into your arm.  The pain could also be accompanied by shortness of breath and sweating. 

Never hesitate to seek out medical attention if you experience any of the above signs and symptoms.  Early treatment could prove to save your life, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health.  What causes and puts you at risk for coronary artery disease may vary, and damage could even begin as early as childhood.  Damage may be caused by various factors, including:

·      Smoking

·      Nicotine will constrict your blood vessels and carbon monoxide will damage their inner lining, which makes them more susceptible to accumulation of plaque.

·      High blood pressure

·      If uncontrolled, this can lead to hardening and thickening of your arteries which narrows the channels that blood flows through. 

·      High cholesterol

·      This can increase the risk of forming plaques, which will build up and cause impairments with blood flow.

·      Physical inactivity

·      Regular exercising, even if it is just walking for 30 minutes 5 days a week, will decrease your risk.

·      Age

·      Getting older increases your risk for coronary artery disease.

·      Gender

·      Males are generally at a higher risk of coronary artery disease; however, the risk for females increases after menopause.

·      Family history

·      If a close relative (parent or sibling) developed heart disease at any early age, your risk will be higher.

·      High stress levels

·      Having unrelieved stress can be damaging to many aspects of your body, including increasing your risk for development of coronary artery disease.

·      Diabetes

·      Radiation therapy in the chest related to certain cancers

·      Obesity

Often individuals will have more than one risk factor and usually they will occur in a cluster and build upon one another, which will significantly increase your risk for coronary artery disease.  For example, obesity that leads to high blood pressure and diabetes.  Complications of this condition can be life threatening if left untreated and may include: chest pain, heart attack, heart failure and an abnormal heart rhythm.  Total Home Health greatly encourages you to contact your medical providers at the first inclination of a change or worsening of your condition.  The more prompt treatment you receive, the more positive your outcome will be. 

There are several diagnostic exams your provider can perform in order to confirm your diagnosis.  The various exams will be discussed with you in detail by your provider according to your own unique situation.  Once diagnosed, your treatment regimen will be decided and could include everything from simple lifestyle changes, to oral medications, to more invasive interventions such as surgery, and more.

Total Home Health has a program that will fit into your lifestyle and work to control your coronary artery disease.  Our professionals will work closely with you day in and day out in order to stay on top of the best ways to treat your specific symptoms.  Encouraging you to make commitments to following healthier lifestyle changes and providing you with ongoing education related to your condition are two priorities of Total Home Health. 

As professionals with experience we will recommend to you that in order to promote healthier arteries you could work with us to do things such as smoking cessation, eat more healthy, exercise, lose any excess weight and work to reduce any stress you may have.  At Total Home Health we understand that making changes is easier said than done, and we want to be the ones that help you make these changes.  Enroll today, you will never be disappointed!