mens health > heart > ischemic heart disease

Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic Heart Disease (known also as "coronary artery disease") involves the blood supply to the heart.

With ischemic heart disease the blood vessels become blocked or narrow because of cholesterol plaques that build up on the walls of the blood vessels. This causes the oxygen supply and other nutrients to musculature. What can happen from this is that a part of the heart can be deprived of blood which can cause that portion of heart tissue to die leading to heart attack.

Ischemic Heart Disease is one of the most common causes of death in many different throughout the world. When the heart pumps blood it supplies the rest of the body with oxygen including all the vital organs such as the kidneys and brain. When there is a defect in any part of the heart it affects the oxygen that is supplied to all the body including these vital organs.

When it comes to causes of Ischemic Heart Disease there are several factors that are responsible. Some of these factors include diabetes mellitus, cholesterol levels and smoking. When there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood which is diagnosed as Hypercholesterolaemia they have a much higher risk of developing Ischemic Heart disease.

It has not been proven but many medical professionals believe that hypertension is also a risk factor for developing Ischemic Heart Disease. Other risks factors include hereditary and genetics for developing Ischemic Heart Disease.

Normally men are more prone to Ischemic Heart Disease however; when women reach post-menopausal stage the risk is just as high. Stress may be another factor involved with Ischemic Heart Disease, but of course there are many that are not sure of this factor and are still debating the results of any reports.

Ischemic Heart Disease is a progressive disease. The blood vessels begin to narrow which obstructs the blood flow, as the disease progresses the narrowing can become a total blockage.

Ischemic Heart Disease Signs

Signs and symptoms of Ischemic Heart disease are usually first noticed by severe chest pain of myocardial infarction. This is sadly often fatal. There are signs that you should be aware of prior to this fatal attack. The major warning sign noted is Angina Pectoris. The pain from angina Pectoris is normally a pain over the center of the chest that can radiate down into the left arm, the back or into the jaw. This pain is usually noticed more after exercise or physical exertion. The pain may last anywhere from five to twenty minutes and many patients complain of sweating episodes along with the intense pain. When a patient has angina pectoris they are more than likely diagnosed with Ischemic Heart Disease.

If you have any chest pain that is similar you should visit your physician. There are medications which can dilate the coronary arteries that are being affected by the disease and will relieve the pain involved in just a few minutes.

Jim Shaw