coronary heart disease

the heart and blood flow

From head and arms

To right lung

From right lung

From legs and feet To legs

and feet

Aorta to all parts of the body

To left lung

From left lung

cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease

cardiovascular disease ( CVD, heart and circulatory disease) all diseases of the heart and blood vessels

(e.g stroke, congenital heart defects, valvular heart disease, peripheral arterial disease)

coronary heart disease (CHD, ischaemic heart disease)disease of the coronary arteries due to

atherosclerosis

the coronary arteries

atherosclerosis

Atheroma

Artery wall

Blood within the artery

Atheroma (fatty deposits)

building up

Fat deposits develop, restricting blood flow

through the artery

coronary artery with atheroma

Atheroma

Coronary Artery with atherosclerosis

Coronary Artery

atheroma

Atheroma (fatty layer)

Cross Section Longitudinal Section

angina and heart attack angina

narrowed coronary artery

tightness or ache in the chest, breathlessness, sick feeling, dizziness

comes on with exertion or emotion

goes away with rest - usually 2-10 mins

heart attack due to sudden

blockage of the coronary artery

chest pain “like a band”, indigestion, breathlessness, sickness, looking pale

comes on at any time doesn’t go away - if still

there in 15 minutes call 999

clarifying some terms

Heart failure the pumping action of the heart is less efficient,

possibly caused by raised blood pressure, heart attack, or valve defect

Heart attack (myocardial infarction) a coronary artery is suddenly blocked by a blood

clot Cardiac arrest

the heart stops beating when it quivers or fibrillates causing the person to collapse

Stroke an artery leading to the brain is suddenly blocked

with a blood clot or a bleed

main risk factors for coronary heart disease

smoking inactivity obesity and overweight high blood pressure raised blood cholesterol diabetes family history of coronary heart disease excessive alcohol intake

smoking

Smoking aggravates the lining of the arteries and speeds up the process of atherosclerosis

carbon monoxide Takes the place of

oxygen in the blood

nicotine Raises heart rate and

blood pressure transiently

physical inactivity

30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week which can be split into 15 minute periods

regular, moderate intensity activity

brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, skipping, tennis, etc.

enough to feel warm & slightly short of breath, but still able to hold a conversation

obesity

caused by excessive calorie intake, and inactivity

can lead to high blood pressure, raised blood cholesterol levels, and diabetes

increases your risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure

high blood pressure

the force of blood in the arteries is over 140/85mmHg

can be lowered with more activity, weight loss, cutting salt and alcohol

high blood cholesterol levels

cholesterol is a fatty substance needed for body cells

it is carried on proteins called low-density or high density lipoproteins (LDLs or HDLs)

saturated fats can increase levels – and sometimes people have inherited raised cholesterol levels

diabetes

inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels

uncontrolled blood sugar encourages the build up of fatty deposits within the arterial walls

around 1.3 million people have diabetes in the UK. This may reach 2 million people by 2010

hormone replacement therapy oestrogen in the body may improve

cholesterol levels and may make the artery more elastic

however, hormone replacement therapy has not shown significant protection against coronary heart disease

present evidence suggests that HRT should not be prescribed solely to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease