What is coronary artery disease?

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the mostly common type of heart disease that is mostly found in the united states people. It is sometimes called coronary heart disease or the second name to this ischemic heart disease.

What causes coronary artery disease?

Cad is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to heart and to the body called (coronary arteries) and other to the other parts of the body that supply the blood.

Plaque is made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances in the artery. Plaque buildup cause the inside of the arteries to narrow over time which can half or totally block the blood flow in the body. This process is called atherosclerosis.

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

Angina, which is chest pain and discomfort, is the most common sign of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). It occurs when arteries become narrow due to the buildup of plaque. This narrowing can cause to chest pain because it block the blood flow to the heart muscle and the rest of the body.

Some people may first realize they have CAD when they experience a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Weakness, dizziness, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), or sweating
• Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
• Shortness of breath

 

Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle, potentially leading to heart failure. Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood properly.

va rating for coronary artery disease

The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) rates heart conditions using a set of guidelines outlined in 38 CFR § 4.104, Schedule of Ratings – Cardiovascular System. The assessment primarily involves considering the results of tests, with a focus on metabolic equivalent tests (METs), also known as exercise testing.

1. METs and Exercise Testing:
   • METs measure how much energy your heart uses during various physical activities.
   • These tests also observe when symptoms, such as shortness of breath, occur during physical activity and how strenuous the activity is when symptoms start.
2. Rating Scale:
   • If you experience symptoms like shortness of breath early in an activity, you may receive a lower METs rating.
   • A higher METs rating indicates a more efficient and functioning heart, leading to a lower disability rating.
3. Disability Ratings:
   • For most heart conditions, the VA assigns disability ratings of 0, 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the METs rating.
   • Veterans consistently taking medication for coronary artery disease usually qualify for at least a 10 percent rating.
4. Other Symptoms Considered:
   • VA also looks at additional symptoms when rating heart conditions, including shortness of breath, fatigue, angina (heart pain), dizziness, fainting, and loss of consciousness.
5. Objective Evaluation:
   • The rating process is objective and may involve an examiner interviewing you or performing an exercise-based test.
   • It’s crucial to discuss your struggles with daily activities related to your heart condition with your doctor and veterans advocate

what is three vessel coronary artery disease?

Triple-vessel disease (TVD) is a serious form of coronary artery disease because it includes significant narrowing in three important heart arteries the right coronary artery, left anterior descending artery, and left circumflex artery

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?

If you are high risk for heart disease or already have symptoms, your doctor can use several tests to diagnose artery disease diagnosed.

1. Medical History and Physical Examination:
   • Your doctor will inquire about your medical history, lifestyle, and any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
   • A physical examination helps the doctor assess your overall health and check for signs of heart-related issues.
2. Blood Tests:
   • Blood tests can reveal information about cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and other factors that may contribute to coronary artery disease.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG):
   • This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can identify irregularities or abnormalities.
4. Stress Test:
   • A stress test assesses how your heart performs during physical activity. It can be done on a treadmill or with medication that mimics the effects of exercise.
5. Echocardiogram:
   • This imaging test uses sound waves to create a detailed picture of your heart’s structure and function, helping to identify any abnormalities.
6. Coronary Angiography:
   • This invasive procedure involves injecting a contrast dye into the coronary arteries, followed by X-rays to visualize blood flow and identify blockages or narrowing.
7. Cardiac CT or MRI:
   • These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels, helping to assess the presence and extent of coronary artery disease.
8. Coronary Calcium Scan:
   • This specialized CT scan measures the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, as increased calcium levels can indicate atherosclerosis.
9. Nuclear Heart Scan:
   • This involves injecting a small amount of radioactive substance into the bloodstream to create images of blood flow to the heart muscle.
10. CT Angiography:
    • A non-invasive CT scan that provides detailed images of the coronary arteries, helping to detect blockages or narrowing.

can you reverse coronary artery disease?

I have a problem with my heart called coronary artery disease. Can it be cured, or is it just about keeping best it from getting worse?

Yes,it is possible that you can cured your health and you can make your self healthy you can actually make a big difference by changing your lifestyle. Coronary artery disease happens when cholesterol builds up in the tubes that carry blood to your heart. This process is called atherosclerosis.

We know it’s possible to reverse this disease from studying people who didn’t have much to eat during World War II. Their heart arteries had very little or no atherosclerosis. But when they started eating better again, the problem came back. This shows that making big changes to your diet can help get rid of atherosclerosis

Its show that all its depend on your dieting if you can control your diet you can cured your self and you can have better health ..

Statins were made to help reverse coronary artery disease more easily and in simple process. However, studies show that intensive cholesterol lowering with statins doesn’t always shrink plaque uniformly – it may decrease in one area but continue growing in another. Despite this, statins still reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by making plaque less likely to break open.

If you’re interested in cleaning out your arteries, you can explore Dr. Dean Ornish’s program. It includes a “reversal diet” (the recommended mostly vegetarian with low fat and cholesterol), daily exercise, stress management, and group support. In a small trial, people following these changes saw a slight shrinkage in cholesterol-clogged plaque compared to a control group.

If you decide to try this, it’s advisable to do it alongside taking statins and low-dose aspirin, with your doctor’s approval. While these efforts may slow or even shrink plaque, it’s unlikely that the plaque completely disappears.

The question is also raised in my mind.. 

can you reverse coronary artery disease with diet

can you reverse coronary artery disease by running