Coronary heart disease
The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. These may become blocked by a build-up of fatty Fatty patches that form inside arteries. They can prevent or restrict blood flow, causing high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. containing A type of lipid (fatty substance)., resulting in coronary heart disease.
If a coronary artery is blocked, the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is cut off. That part of the heart cannot continue to contract, causing a heart attack.
Cross-section showing how plaque causes abnormal blood flow in affected arteries
Possible causes of coronary heart disease
These include:
- poor diet – eating more Fat that contains only saturated fatty acids. Foods which contain saturated fat include butter, cream and cheese. tends to increase cholesterol levels
- stress and smoking – increases blood pressure
- salt – eating too much causes high blood pressure
- lack of exercise
- genetic factors
Lack of exercise and being overweight can increase the risk of coronary heart disease
There is no one perfect cure for Relating to the heart and the blood vessels. disease. There are many different treatments which have both advantages and disadvantages.
| Treatment | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Statins | A daily medication to control blood cholesterol levels | Drugs reduce blood cholesterol levels | May cause side effects |
| Angioplasty | Surgery to insert a small balloon into a blood vessel which is then inflated to remove a blockage | Improved blood flow in coronary vessels preventing heart attack | Sometimes only a temporary measure |
| Lifestyle changes | Diet and exercise, stopping smoking etc | Reduces risk of heart disease and reduces blood pressure | A high level of willpower is required to maintain the changes |
| Statins | |
|---|---|
| Description | A daily medication to control blood cholesterol levels |
| Advantages | Drugs reduce blood cholesterol levels |
| Disadvantages | May cause side effects |
| Angioplasty | |
|---|---|
| Description | Surgery to insert a small balloon into a blood vessel which is then inflated to remove a blockage |
| Advantages | Improved blood flow in coronary vessels preventing heart attack |
| Disadvantages | Sometimes only a temporary measure |
| Lifestyle changes | |
|---|---|
| Description | Diet and exercise, stopping smoking etc |
| Advantages | Reduces risk of heart disease and reduces blood pressure |
| Disadvantages | A high level of willpower is required to maintain the changes |