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Coronary Heart Diseases

Coronary Heart Diseases

 

1. What is Coronary Artery:

Vessels surround the heart: supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles.

 

2. Causes

Accumulation of cholesterol inside coronary artery causing narrowing or blockage.

Normal inner vessel wall

CHD inner vessel wall

 3. Symptoms

 

Sudden death without any warning

 

Chest pain, crushing, lasting more than several minutes

 

Pain radiating to the neck, shoulder, arm and jaw

 

Dizziness, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitation

 

Usually occur during activities and exercise

* Please consult your doctor if you suffer from of the above symptoms.

4. Risk Factors and Prevention:

 

I. Avoidable risk factors and prevention:

 

 

II. Unavoidable risk factors:

 

Age: Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease rises with age
Sex : More in male, but both sexes share an equal chance after 60 years old

Family

History:

 The chance of disease increases with family members suffering from Coronary Heart Disease

5. Therapy

 

I. Drug therapy

5 main group of drugs 

i. Aspirin

ii. Nitrates

iii. ß-BLOCKER

iv. Calcium Channel Blocker

v. Cholesterol Lowering Agent

 

II. Interventional treatment

i. Coronary Angioplasty

 

Aims

:

Relieve occlusions in the coronary arteries through intravascular catheters, and restore adequate oxygen and nutrients supply.

 

Success rate

:

90-95%

a.

Balloon angioplasty : Inflate a balloon to dilate the narrowing, and hence enlarging the vessel lumen.

b.

Stent implantation: Expand a coil to support the vessel wall, reducing the relapse.

c.

Atherectomy : Use a cup-shaped cutter to cut out the clog, drawing them out of the body.  

d.

Rotational Atherectomy: Use a high speed rotational cutter to clear the clog. 

e.

Laser Angioplasty : Use a laser catheter to evaporate the clog. 

ii. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

 

Commonly known as "CABBAGE". Open heart surgery using leg veins to bypass the obstruction and restore the blood supply to the heart.

 

6. Rehabilitation Programs

 

Aims:

I. Self care and return to society

II. Recovery of body and mind, gaining self-confidence

 

Self care involvement:

 

Diet management

Smoking Cessation

Medication knowledge

Regular exercise

Relaxation

Community involvement:

 

Self-help group meeting

Group out-door activities

Voluntary work