_Ischemic Heart Disease:
_Ischemic heart disease, also known as myocardial
ischemia, is a condition of the heart where the heart muscles are
damaged or do not work as efficiently due to a reduced blood supply to
the heart. The decreased blood flow is most often caused by narrowing of
the coronary arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. The risk of
getting this disease increases with age, and is more prevalent among
smokers than non-smokers. Also at risk are people with diabetes, high
blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure (people suffering from
hypertension), and individuals who have family history of the disease.
_
Ischaemic
Heart Disease (coronary artery disease or CAD) is a condition in which
atheroma (fatty deposits) builds up in the linings of the walls of the
coronary arteries. This causes a narrow artery and reduced blood flow to
the heart muscle. This process can occur in other arteries of the body.
Important arteries which, if affected can have medical consequences,
are the carotid arteries in the neck, (which supply blood to the brain),
and the femoral /popliteal arteries in the legs. In these situations a
bruit (noise) may be heard over the area affected (i.e. carotid or
femoral arteries), through a stethoscope.
_What is good care for heart disease?
_Effective treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD)
saves lives. Since 2000, there has been a 40% reduction in deaths from
heart disease in people under 75. A national review of heart disease
services set out standards that define good heart disease care:
_tackling the factors that increase the risk of heart disease, such as smoking, poor diet and little physical exercise
preventing CHD in high-risk patients and where patients have CHD, avoiding complications and tackling the progression of the disease
rapid treatment for heart attack, including the choice of angioplasty in a specialist cardiac centre
rapid diagnosis of heart disease and access to diagnostic tests
rapid access and choice of treatment centre for specialised cardiac care
preventing CHD in high-risk patients and where patients have CHD, avoiding complications and tackling the progression of the disease
rapid treatment for heart attack, including the choice of angioplasty in a specialist cardiac centre
rapid diagnosis of heart disease and access to diagnostic tests
rapid access and choice of treatment centre for specialised cardiac care
_Treatment overview:
_CHD cannot be cured but it can be managed effectively
with a combination of lifestyle changes, medicine and in some cases
surgery. With the right treatment, the symptoms of CHD can be reduced
and the functioning of the heart improved.