Coronary Heart Disease by Ashley Barnes

Coronary Heart Disease is a disease that consists of several different conditions such as Heart Attacks, Aorta Disease, Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, and Heart Valve Disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not curable, but there are ways people can live their lives to prevent Coronary Heart Disease. Some ways are maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and exercising. Even though there may not be a cure for this disease, there are treatments and different care that people can use. One treatment to be used, if the person is in cardiopulmonary arrest, is CPR. This technique allows the oxygen and blood flow to continue going to the brain while receiving chest compressions. In some cases, some people need stents to be put in their hearts to open arteries. Stents are small tubes used for weakened arteries in the body. This could also help treat a heart attack or help with chest pain. These stents can also be referred to as Cardiac Stents.


For care, there are several Heart Disease medications people can take. Some lower blood pressure; others can filter out fluids, or reduce cholesterol. It is very important to take Heart Disease medication as scheduled and at the same time daily. If medications are stopped being taken without the doctor‘s permission, conditions may worsen depending on how serious the disease is. There are some side effects while taking certain Heart Disease medications. If dizziness occurs when standing up, sit back down for a few minutes then continue to get back up slowly. If a doctor decides to give their patient surgery for Heart Disease, there are some recommendations for recovery after the surgery. Recovery can take up to 6-8 weeks. It is very important to keep the incision clean with only soap and water. A healthy diet is advised. On the upside, the pain a patient may experience after surgery will not be as severe as before the surgery, but there can be itching as well. After surgery, it’s advised to not lift heavy objects, preferably over 10 pounds. It is also good to walk daily.

There are several different tests people can take to see if they have Coronary Heart Disease. One test would be the Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG.) This test consists of electrical activity of the heart with patches. The patches will attach to the chest, legs, and arms. Fortunately, this test is quick and painless. If your doctor recommends this test for a patient, there isn’t much preparation except, no greasy creams for the skin and make sure to wear easily removable clothes. A doctor may decide to just give a chest x-ray. The x-ray will show the heart, lungs, and bone structure. This test will not be suggested if a woman is pregnant, and there will be no jewelry or clothes worn during this procedure. The patient will have to hold their breath for a few seconds for more accurate images. This test only takes about 10-15 minutes. Another test that could be taken for this disease is an MRI. An MRI consists of magnets and radio-frequency waves. This will show information about a patient’s heart while breathing. It will also show the patient’s function of his or her chest, lungs, vessels, heart, and the presence of disease. There is no preparation for this test unless the person is claustrophobic, and if he or she is, a doctor will give the patient sedation beforehand.

Some ways you can reduce Coronary Heart Disease are: creating realistic goals for yourself, preparing for lapses and relapses, rewarding yourself for the good things you do, and relying on friends and family along with support groups. Cycling, swimming, and treadmilling can also help reduce this disease. All and all, it is important to recognize the symptoms your body is having and to take medications as needed. It is also important for a patient to see their doctor for checkups regularly.

References:
WebMD 2012