Coronary Artery Disease Answers – Flashcards
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What is coronary artery disease?
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The coronary arteries become narrow and rigid and blood flow is restricted to the heart.
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When does CAD begin?
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CAD can begin at a young age.
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What causes CAD?
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CAD is caused by a buildup of plaque and cholesterol.
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What happens after the a buildup of plaque?
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The plaque builds up and causes an inflammation in the walls of the blood vessels.
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What are the long-term effects of plaque buildup?
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Excessive buildup in the arteries can lead to blood clots and possibly a heart attack.
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How does the body try to correct CAD?
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Eventually, the body will form a more narrow coronary artery around the blockage, but that artery will not support blood flow when there is increased stress.
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What happens when the blood supply to the heart is completely blocked?
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A heart attack may ensue.
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What happens if the blood supply to the brain is blocked?
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A stroke may ensue.
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What is the prevalence of CAD in the US?
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as of 2010, 6.0% of the population has CAD
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What percentage of people with CAD are older than 65 years of age?
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19.8%
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What gender is more prone to having CAD?
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males
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Chest pain
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a symptom of CAD
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shortness of breath
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occurs during exercise or other strenuous activity, symptom of CAD
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fast heartbeat
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symptom of CAD
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weakness
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symptom of CAD
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dizziness and nausea
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symptoms of CAD
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increased sweating
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symptom of CAD
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heart attack
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Unfortunately, may be the only symptom a person has that indicates CAD
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blood pressure test
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a test that indicates risk for CAD - a high blood pressure could be a sign
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C-reactive protein test
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high CRP levels have been linked to CAD
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Coronary Calcium Scan
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a special kind of X-ray that checks for a buildup of calcium in the arteries. A high score may indicate CAD
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Aspirin
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A blood thinner; helps prevent the formation of blood clots
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Beta-blockers
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slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure to reduce the amount of work the heart has to do.
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statins
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lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of a heart attack
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Nitrates
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Relieve chest pain and other forms of angina
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Calcium channel blockers
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slow the heart rate and lower the blood pressure to reduce the workload on the heart
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Angioplasty
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Opens up blood vessels and increases blood flow to the heart, using a stint.
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Eating healthy
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Eating healthy will not cure current cases of CAD, but it will reduce the risk of the disease worsening.
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What does a healthy diet include?
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A healthy diet includes mainly vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Foods to stay away from include overly salty, sugary, or fatty items.
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coronary bypass graft surgery
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Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is done to go around a portion of an artery that has been narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. the blocked portion of the artery is bypassed using a blood vessel taken from elsewhere in the body. Blood is redirected through the new blood vessel, restoring blood flow to the affected portion of the heart muscle.
