IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE DANGEROUS?

11/06/2020

Coronary artery disease affects the quality of your life and your physical health. Also, it is the leading cause of death among heart-related diseases. Thorough understanding of the disease will help you have self-care measures, early diagnosis and efficient treatment.

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary arteries are the blood vessels which transport blood to the heart muscle. When your coronary arteries get narrowed as a result of plaque or get blocked due to blood clot, you may have a heart attack and be at risk of death.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

Pain, pressure, heaviness or uncomfortable feeling in the middle of your chest.
Fleeting or sharp pain. It can be felt in the neck, lower jaw and left arm.
Shortness of breath.
Hard breathing, vomiting, nauseous feeling, heartburn.
Regular sweating and chilling.
Irregular heartbeat.
Dizziness.

If you have any of the above symptoms, immediately call emergency number.

Some diagnostic tests that your doctor may suggest you to do:

Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG can help to predict a heart attack if there are changes in electrical signals.
Cardiac marker: High elevation of cardiac marker occasionally implies a heart attack.
Treadmill Stress test: You are asked to walk on a treadmill during an ECG. Physical activity requires higher blood supply to your heart muscle. Applying this test, your doctor can measure the changes by monitor ECG during the test (your change blood flow.)
Stimulating heart by medication: In case you cannot walk or run, your doctor can apply this method to measure the coronary artery disease (your blood flow.)
Echocardiogram: This test reveals whether your heart is functioning properly and your blood flow.
Computerized tomography (CT): You will receive a contrast dye injected intravenously, after which a heart CT will be implemented. The status and the narrowness of coronary arteries will be assessed accordingly.
Cardiac catheterization: A tiny tube will be threaded through an artery in the leg or arm to the arteries in the heart. The procedure is called “coronary catheter angiography (chest X-ray)”. It can help to reveal narrow spots or blockages.

Even though coronary artery disease is dangerous, patients can stay healthy as long as the disease is under good control and treatment. Below are some treatment methods:

Modifying (Changing) your lifestyle habits:

Quit smoking
Eat vegetables, fruits and fibre-rich foods. Avoid sugar rich foods.
Spend plenty of time on walking or physical activities.
Maintain a healthy weight.

Drugs:

Medication Drugs are important in treating coronary artery disease. It They can reduce the risk of having a heart attack, prevent the stent from getting blocked and help you live longer. However, remember to follow your doctor’s prescription.

Cardiac catheterization: A stent will be dilated or left in the artery where narrow spots or blockages are found.
Coronary artery bypass surgery: Your doctor will create a graft to bypass blocked coronary arteries using a vessel from your leg.

At American International Hospital (AIH)’s Cardiology Department, we will take care of your heart with utmost dedication and best services.

AIH’s Cardiology Department provides a variety of care and treatment services, including:

Consultation, diagnosis and preventative care for patients with high cardiovascular risks - the ones who have obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking habit, cholesterol disorder...
Treatment by medication, intensive care, rehabilitation programs for patients having interventional and surgical treatments, coronary artery bypass surgery.
Application of modern equipment, medical imaging techniques and advanced technologies that helps to produce early and accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment methods for your heart issues, especially coronary artery disease.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: 199 Nguyen Hoang street, An Phu Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh city