Coronary Heart Disease Learning Objectives: To understand the causes, risk factors and symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease CHD. To understand the causes, risk factors and symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease CHD. To understand how cholesterol causes arteries to block. To understand how cholesterol causes arteries to block. Know how we may reduce our likelihood of contracting the disease. Know how we may reduce our likelihood of contracting the disease. ‘LOW FAT, LOW CHOLESTEROL FOOD AND EXERCISE – THAT’S WHAT WE NEED!!’ HEART

What is Coronary Heart Disease? CHD is the main cause of death in Northern Ireland Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries. Heart disease is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. This causes the heart muscle to be partially starved of oxygen.

Atherosclerosis - When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. They cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease (CHD). Blood Flowing Through An Artery Atherosclerosis - When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. They cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease (CHD). Blood Flowing Through An Artery

If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, chest pain may be experienced called angina. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure of the artery, from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing.

Normal Artery Healthy Blood Flow This artery has restricted blood flow due to the build up of fatty deposits. This could lead to a fatal blockage. Blockage due to fatty deposits and plaque build up.

What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced naturally in the liver. The body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. Cholesterol may be found in cell walls or other parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.

This shows cholesterol and other substances gathering in the artery causing plaque to form on the artery walls. This will eventually lead to a complete blockage of the artery.

If there is too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, the excess is deposited in the arteries, including the coronary arteries, where it causes the narrowing and blockages that lead to the signs and symptoms of heart disease. Artery Cholesterol and fatty deposits restricting blood flow. Healthy Artery

What causes High Cholesterol? Many factors help determine whether your cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important: Heredity What you eat What you eat Weight Physical activity/exercise Physical activity/exercise Age and sex Age and sex Alcohol Stress

One of the main contributory factors of high cholesterol in the blood!! Diet - Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make cholesterol levels go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals; and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises cholesterol levels in the blood more than anything else in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol and a high rate of Coronary Heart Disease in Northern Ireland. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet is a very important step in reducing blood cholesterol levels.

Another major contributory factor is Stress. In today’s society more is expected from everyone and everyone wants things done fast and efficiently. This puts a large percentage of the population under stress and strain. Stress over the long term has been shown in several studies to raise blood cholesterol levels.

Risk factors greatly contribute to our chances of contracting the disease The risk factors that be controlled include: As we increase in age (45 years or older for men; 55 years or older for women) the risk of CHD Increases. Family history of early heart disease (father or brother affected before age 55; mother or sister affected before age 65) – the more likely a son, daughter or sibling are likely to be affected.

The known risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about include: * High blood cholesterol levels * Smoking * High blood pressure * Diabetes – Diabetics risk of developing heart disease is high. As for the general population Diabetics need to lower their blood cholesterol levels * Obesity/overweight * Physical inactivity The known risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about include: * High blood cholesterol levels * Smoking * High blood pressure * Diabetes – Diabetics risk of developing heart disease is high. As for the general population Diabetics need to lower their blood cholesterol levels * Obesity/overweight * Physical inactivityDiabetesObesity/overweightDiabetesObesity/overweight

What Is a Heart Attack? Heart attack or Myocardial Infarction is caused due to coronary artery blockage. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels which supply the heart with oxygen and nutrition. Over time the inside of these arteries develop a fatty plaque substance. These Plaques are made of cholesterol and other substances such as nutrients floating through the bloodstream.

What is A Heart Attack Cont.. Many of the plaque deposits are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. The hard surface can crack or tear exposing the soft fatty inside. When this happens blood clots form around the plaque. The artery narrows further and in turn there is less room for blood to flow through the arteries.

What Is A Heart Attack This eventually results in a complete blockage of the the coronary arteries. The heart is no longer getting the oxygen in the blood that it needs to do its job – causing a HEART ATTACK The patient experiences tightness, heaviness in the chest. The result is the death of the surrounding heart muscles due to the lack of oxygen. Even if the patient survives the attack, the heart may never recover to the level it was prior to the attack. Damage to the heart due to an arterial blockage.

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