Coronary heart disease is caused by damage to the heart blood vessels or coronary arteries. This damage can be caused by a buildup of atheroma in the arterial wall. Atheroma consists of cholesterol and substances left over from metabolism. Atheromas that continue to accumulate, can cause the arterial wall to thicken until it narrows. As a result, the heart does not get enough blood and oxygen. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
Causes of Coronary Heart Disease
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. The content of nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can overload the heart's work, by stimulating the heart to work faster. Both of these compounds also increase the risk of blood clots.
Other compounds in cigarettes can also damage the walls of the heart arteries and cause constriction. Therefore, the risk of developing heart disease in smokers is almost 25 percent higher than non-smokers.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes blood vessel walls to thicken and inhibit blood flow. Diabetics are known to be 2 times more at risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is a blood clot that can form in veins or arteries. When it forms in the arteries, it blocks blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of heart attack.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension makes the heart have to work harder. One of the triggers for hypertension is the consumption of foods with high salt levels. Normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg.
High cholesterol level
Cholesterol is a fat produced by the liver, and is important for the formation of healthy cells. Even so, high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol is divided into two, namely good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). LDL can accumulate in the artery wall and trigger constriction. In healthy adults, normal LDL levels in the blood are less than 100 mg / dL. As for individuals at risk of developing coronary heart disease, LDL levels are recommended below 100 mg / dL. The maximum limit of LDL levels will be even lower for those who already suffer from heart disease or diabetes, which is below 70 mg / dL.
Excess weight
Someone with excess weight or obesity is at risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Lack of activity
Physical activity such as exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise can also help control cholesterol levels and blood sugar, prevent obesity, and help lower blood pressure.
Unhealthy diet
The risk of coronary heart disease can increase due to unhealthy eating patterns, such as eating too many foods with high sugar or salt levels, or foods with high saturated fat content.
Family health history
The risk of coronary heart disease increases in someone who has a family with heart disease.
Gender
Generally, coronary heart disease affects men more than women. However, the risk of developing the same disease will increase in postmenopausal women.
Age
The older a person is, the higher the risk of developing coronary heart disease. This disease more often affects men over the age of 45 years and women over 55 years.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of diseases that increase the risk of coronary heart disease, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease
Reduced blood intake to the heart may not cause any symptoms at first. However, if more fat accumulates in the arteries, the symptoms of coronary heart disease will begin, such as:
Angina
Angina is chest pain due to reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Although generally not life threatening, angina can increase a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Angina can last several minutes, and usually appears because it is triggered by physical activity or stress. Pain experienced due to angina also varies. Mild angina only causes discomfort such as heartburn. However, severe angina attacks can cause chest pain such as being crushed. The sensation of chest pain can spread to the arms, neck, chin, stomach and back.
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when the arteries are completely blocked. This condition must be treated immediately, so there is no permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Pain from a heart attack is similar to angina. It's just that, pain in a heart attack will feel heavier, and can occur even though the patient is resting.
Symptoms of a heart attack can be pain that radiates from the chest to the arms, chin, neck, stomach and back. The pain can last for more than 15 minutes. In addition to these symptoms, patients can also experience dizziness, sweating, nausea, and the body feels weak.
Heart attacks can occur suddenly, especially in diabetics and the elderly.
Heart failure
People with coronary heart disease can also experience heart failure, if the heart is too weak to pump blood throughout the body. This condition causes blood to accumulate in the lungs, so that patients experience shortness of breath.
Heart failure can occur instantly (acute), or develop gradually (chronic).
In some cases, people with coronary heart disease experience different symptoms, such as palpitations (palpitations). Some sufferers don't even feel any symptoms, until they are diagnosed with coronary heart disease.