Coronary Artery Disease development

Coronary Artery Disease
Development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Coronary artery disease represents an obstruction or constricting (stenosis) of vessels and arteries which supplies the heart with oxygenated blood. The cause for CAD is atherosclerosis (arterial hardening), or a fatty plaque buildup on inner arterial linings. The resultant obstruction impedes blood flow across coronary arteries. The complete cut- off of blood flow leads to a heart attack (or myocardial infarction, in medical terms). CAD takes place when coronary arteries are partly obstructed or hindered, thus cutting off oxygen supply to heart muscles (i.e., myocardial ischemia). When the blockage is temporary or partial, angina (chest pain or pressure) may occur. The sudden, complete cut- off of blood flow due to the blockage leads to myocardial infarction (Milto, Costello, Davidson & Lerner, 2013).
CAD is a condition that sets it from a rather young age, a fact not many are aware of. Prior to adolescence, the walls of blood vessels start showing fat streaks. With age, this fat accumulates, injuring blood vessel walls to some extent. Proteins, calcium, inflammatory cells, cellular wastes and other substances which traverse an individual’s blood stream start sticking to vessel walls. These substances (including fat) join up with each other and form another substance – plaque. With time, the arterial interior develops plaques of varying sizes, several of which tend to be soft (internally), with a tough fibrous external "cap". The fatty, soft interior gets exposed in the event the outer hard surface ruptures or breaks. Platelets (i.e., disc- shaped blood particles which facilitate clotting) reach the place and clots of blood develop around the deposited plaque. Furthermore, the endothelium may get irritated and stop functioning appropriately, thereby leading to a squashing of muscular arteries at the wrong time. The above phenomenon serves to further constrict arteries (Cleveland Clinic, 2018).
Prevention
CAD prevention mostly revolves around bringing risk factors under control. My aging relative may avoid CAD onset via the following useful steps:
· Cease smoking (better still, never pick up the habit in the first place). Smoking has been regarded as a major myocardial infarction risk factor. Further, secondhand smoking must be avoided as well. My relative may resolve to stop smoking completely.
· Consume less unhealthy foods and more foods which are known for promoting heart protection. He may adopt a diet plan which encompasses low trans fats and saturated fats. Further, higher polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat consumption is recommended (i.e., consuming fish and olive oil), besides low sugar and salt, and high fiber consumption (which can be got through plant foods).
· Increase physical activity, and maintain an active lifestyle throughout. One efficient physical exercise goal is a minimum of 2.5 hours or 150 minutes of moderate exercising weekly, or 1.25 hours (i.e., 75 minutes) of vigorous aerobics weekly. Another goal for remaining active and healthy could be 30- minute activity daily, almost every day in the week. Further, his physician may aid him in planning a fresh workout regime and teach him an exercise regime which could promote heart movement.
· Maintain a normal body weight (based on the BMI (Body Mass Index) chart). In case the individual in question weighs above normal according to the BMI chart, losing a mere 5-10% of his existing weight can decrease CAD onset risks.
· Determine healthy stress outlets. A certain amount of stress is an inevitable part of life. However, it sometimes ends up pushing an individual towards unhealthy habits like taking to drink, overeating, or adopting a sedentary lifestyle. His heart will be healthier if he is able to manage stress in fun, relaxing ways like exercise and meditation. Further, stress management interventions may prove valuable (Scott, 2018).
Treatment
Several CAD treatment alternatives exist, with treatment choice dependent on underlying illness cause and acuteness. Treatments for CAD include modifications in lifestyle and medication administration to surgeries. Individuals exhibiting low to moderate CAD, along with a smaller number of risk factors, can manage the condition using only medications and lifestyle modifications. Dietary modifications and increased physical activity, in addition to smoking cessation, may help an individual in gaining control of CAD.
Usually all of the abovementioned treatments are utilized. Diet, physical activity and other lifestyle components form the first line therapeutic/prevention techniques. They must be continued despite commencing drug therapy and after surgery. The following medications help treat CAD:
· Statins, fibrates and other cholesterol-lowering drugs
· Anticoagulants or blood thinners for preventing clot formation
· Aspirin, which also functions as a clotting prevention drug
· ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and other blood pressure medications for reducing blood pressure
· Calcium channel blockers for reducing blood pressure and relaxing blood vessels
· Beta blockers, for reducing blood pressure and slowing heart rate
Procedures such as surgery can also treat CAD. Doctors can employ catheters for guiding a minuscule balloon into blocked arteries, followed by inflating the balloon. Inflation serves to expand the artery through pushing accumulated plaque against the arterial wall. Subsequently, a mesh tube or stent is put in the expanded place for ensuring the artery remains open and clear to allow for proper blood flow. Bypass surgeries of coronary arteries (an open heart surgery) aim at changing blood flow through bypassing around blocked arteries for improving flow of blood to the patient’s heart. For performing this procedure, surgeons select and use one of the healthy blood vessels from some other body part for circumventing the blocked artery. The surgery is only done in case of individuals having multiple arterial blockages. Myocardial infarctions resulting from CAD need urgent medical attention (Tran & Odle, 2013).


References
Cleveland Clinic. (2018). Coronary artery disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16898-coronary-artery-disease.
Milto, L., Costello, A., Davidson, T., & Lerner, B. (2013). Coronary artery disease (3rd ed.). The Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health.
Scott, R. (2018). Coronary artery disease: prevention, treatment and research. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_heart/diseases_and_conditions/coronary-artery-disease-prevention-treatment-and-research
Tran, M., & Odle, T. (2013). Coronary heart disease (2nd ed.). Gale Encyclopedia of Diets.