The heart is the primary muscle the cardiovascular system. Its job is to pump blood throughout the entire body. This blood supply is carried by the coronary arteries, delivering oxygen and nutrients the body needs to function properly. Red blood cells or RBC's carry oxygen while White blood cells or WBC's fight off infections.
In the body of a healthy person, the artery walls are smooth and uniform in thickness. However, as time passes this can change. High levels of cholesterol can circulate causing fatty deposits or plaque to accumulate on the interior walls of the arteries.
As this plaque forms on the arterial wall, the artery becomes narrow and less able to be as flexible as it should be to function properly. When this build up occurs in the coronary arteries it is referred to as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis which is the narrowing and inflexibility of the arteries as mentioned earlier.
When blood flow to the heart is blocked, a heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI) can result. If blockage of a coronary artery extends past 90%, there is an increased risk for a heart attack. When plaque completely blocks or occludes a coronary artery, the risk for heart attack is certain.
Another risk for experiencing a heart attack is the development of a blood clot. This occurs when cracks form in the hardened plaque and blood begins to collect and pile up. The clot can grow to the point of completely blocking blood flow which then results in a heart attack.
The damage the heart will endure during a heart attack event is based largely on the location of the blockage as well as how long it takes to receive proper medical treatment. The longer the wait for assistance, the more extensive the damage to the heart. Luckily, atherosclerosis can be prevented and this in turn lowers the risk for a heart attack.
The disease process can be slowed in progression by simple lifestyle changes. For example, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, starting a low fat, low cholesterol diet and regular exercise. These simple tasks can lower your risk for this disease.
Shorter hospital stays and declining medical insurance along with sky rocketing medical costs don't make it easy to educate ourselves about the risk factors and methods of prevention for heart disease. However, we must take charge and learn these tools. They will benefit everyone.
In the body of a healthy person, the artery walls are smooth and uniform in thickness. However, as time passes this can change. High levels of cholesterol can circulate causing fatty deposits or plaque to accumulate on the interior walls of the arteries.
As this plaque forms on the arterial wall, the artery becomes narrow and less able to be as flexible as it should be to function properly. When this build up occurs in the coronary arteries it is referred to as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis which is the narrowing and inflexibility of the arteries as mentioned earlier.
When blood flow to the heart is blocked, a heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI) can result. If blockage of a coronary artery extends past 90%, there is an increased risk for a heart attack. When plaque completely blocks or occludes a coronary artery, the risk for heart attack is certain.
Another risk for experiencing a heart attack is the development of a blood clot. This occurs when cracks form in the hardened plaque and blood begins to collect and pile up. The clot can grow to the point of completely blocking blood flow which then results in a heart attack.
The damage the heart will endure during a heart attack event is based largely on the location of the blockage as well as how long it takes to receive proper medical treatment. The longer the wait for assistance, the more extensive the damage to the heart. Luckily, atherosclerosis can be prevented and this in turn lowers the risk for a heart attack.
The disease process can be slowed in progression by simple lifestyle changes. For example, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, starting a low fat, low cholesterol diet and regular exercise. These simple tasks can lower your risk for this disease.
Shorter hospital stays and declining medical insurance along with sky rocketing medical costs don't make it easy to educate ourselves about the risk factors and methods of prevention for heart disease. However, we must take charge and learn these tools. They will benefit everyone.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge about Heart Disease in Women. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where you can find more of her articles about Heart Disease Atherosclerosis Causes.
In the cases of heart attack and cardiac arrest, or any other heart shocks, time sets to be the most crucial factor for the survival of the patient. Sometimes, a little knowledge regarding the immediate actions to be taken may help your near and dear ones to survive in such incidents. The response a person takes to treat a victim decides the probability of his/her survival. Its been my personal experience fighting to survive against a heart attack. A quick reorganization of your bodily responses may increase your chances of survival. Because of having many heart problems, I was enrolled in a concierge Healthcare program from elite health. I was attacked by a severe heart attack in a party, luckily surrounded by many people. Some of the sudden changes in my body was recognized by me and anticipated immediately. I got a very severe chest pain which was almost unbearable for more than a minute. I got the suspicion that I might be having heart attack, and immediately called my physician on the phone, and explained my condition and its severity. Because of the immediate guidance, I was directed immediately to have an aspirin which I used to carry with me as prescribed by my physician. It was quite a frightening experience for me to face such a heart attack, but somehow I managed to be calm until 911 arrived. I was immediately taken to the nearest hospital, where already my physician were present and have got everything setup according to my medical history. And it was in some matter of seconds that everything was in control. A doctor, who already have the complete knowledge of the medical history and fitness of the person, extra ordinarily ameliorate your recovery process. Hence such a concierge level program from Elite health, helped me a save my life, like many others.
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