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Coronay Artery Disease (CAD)/ Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)/ Ischemic heart Disease (IHD)

Introduction



  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition that affects your coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart. With CAD, plaque buildup narrows or blocks one or more of your coronary arteries. Chest discomfort (angina) is the most common symptom. CAD can lead to a heart attack or other complications like arrhythmia or heart failure.

  • You might have CAD for many years and not have any symptoms until you experience a heart attack. That’s why CAD is a “silent killer.”

Causes/ Risk Factors

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol levels
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Insulin resistance/hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus
  • Obesity
  • Inactivity
  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Emotional stress
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • History of preeclampsia during pregnancy
  • Certain Autoimmmune diseases- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus

Symptoms



Most commonly, First symptom is a heart Attack

  • Chest discomfort (ANGINA)- heaviness, tightness, burning, squeezing
  • Pain in the arms or shoulders
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Jaw pain
Men have a greater risk for the disease beginning at age 45 and women have a greater risk beginning at age 55. 

Complications



1. Chest pain / ANGINA

2.Heart attack

3. Heart failure

4. Irregular heart rhythm/ ARRHYTHMIA

Diagnosis


  • ECG or EKG ( Electrocardiogram)
  • Echocardiogram
  • Exercise Stress test
  • Chest X ray
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Coronary Angiogram
  • Coronary Artery Calcium Scan 
Management (Non Surgical/ Homoeopathic Approach)


  • Crataegus oxy. - Crataegus is considered a heart tonic. Heart muscles seem flabby, worn out. Heart weakness with oppression, stitches, and insomnia. Extreme dyspnea on the least exertion without much increase of pulse. 

  • Aurum Metallicum - Sensations as if the heart stopped beating for two or three seconds, immediately followed by tumultuous rebound with sinking at the epigastrium. Oppression at the heart. Pulse rapid, feeble, and irregular. Blood pressure high.

  • Digitalis Purpurea - Excellent homeopathic remedy for heart failure with an irregular heartbeat.

  • Cardus Marianus - Effective homeopathic medicine for heart failure with liver complaints.

  • Naja Tripudians - Best for heart failure with weakness and valvular disorders. Visible palpitations. Damaged heart after infectious diseases.

  • Nux Vomica - Excellent remedy for heart failure seen in alcoholics. Patient feels tired, palpitation on lying down. Usually constipated with ineffectual desire. 

  • Strophanthus his - Effective homeopathic remedies to treat heart failure with edema of legs.

  • Aconitum - This Homeopathic Remedy is used when a person is having a heart attack.

  • Spigelia- Spigelia is used in the treatment of irregular heartbeats which may cause sharp pain in the chest.

  • Cactus grandiflorus - This Homeopathic Remedy is used in treating angina pectoris, which is characterized by symptoms of pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart.

  • Glonoine - This homeopathic treatment is prescribed to treat symptoms of plaque buildup in the artery, which causes hypertension.
  • Tabacum - Tabacum is best for hardening of coronary arteries.There is violent palpitations, worse lying on left side

  • Lycopodium – Homeopathic remedy for ischemic heart disease with swelling of legs.

  • Phosphorus – Homeopathy remedy for the treatment of Ischemic Heart disease with fatty liver.


Overview

  • Young people these days do not get any prior heart check-ups. People start gymming without a pre-cardiac check up and then during gym they do weight training, which increases the thickness of the heart, they do treadmill workout, cross training. Some even take supplements which are not good and cause damage to the heart, leading to Arrhythmia.

  • When a person is in their twenties, they slowly begin to develop negligible blockages because of increased cholesterol or other genetic factors. However, when the person faces an acutely stressful event, undergoes a significant physical exertion without preparation or severe biological stressors such as an infection, the exertion on the heart causes clots to form near the already present blockages, leading to clots and even a heart attack.
  • While increasing heart diseases has been prevalent and an observable trend over the last decade, the rise in cases last year is more concerning. Most healthcare professionals understand this increase to be a direct consequence of Covid-19, since the disease gravely impacts the patient’s blood vessels.
  • There is no doubt that a healthy lifestyle can curb cardiovascular diseases and also lower the risk of developing other chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and hyperglycemia. Routine exercise and a proper diet sure play a vital role in keeping illnesses at bay. However, considering the growing numbers of young cardiac patients, who are more aware and informed, there is more to it than what meets the eye.