subject: Signs And Symptoms Of Ischaemic Heart Disease [print this page] Ischaemic heart disease - Causes - Signs - Symptoms and Diagnosis
Ischaemic heart disease is a coronary heart disease which takes place when a reduced amount of blood is supplied to the heart. The reason for reduced supply of blood is because the blood vessels are blocked with the deposition of cholesterol on their walls, this reduces the supply of blood to heart muscle. This condition, although treatable does not always have symptoms that can be easily identified, especially in the early stages. In such cases, it may lead to a fatal heart attack and even death, which is why this is one of the most common causes of death in several countries. But, there are cases where this medical condition can often cause symptoms that are uncomfortable and cannot be ignored, which will help doctors analyze it. Some of the causes of Ischaemic heart disease are lack of a healthy diet, inadequate exercise and a history of heart related problems.
Men with close relatives having Ischaemic heart disease are prone to developing this condition. This is a serious condition as the heart is the organ that pumps blood to other organs, therefore any defect in the heart immediately affects the supply of oxygen to other vital organs like the brain, lungs, kidneys etc. This leads to serious problems and eventual death, if left unattended. Usually it affects middle age and elder people, the majority being men.
Signs and symptoms of Ischaemic heart disease -
1. Angina Pectoris
2. Heart Failure
One of the first signs that must not be taken lightly is severe chest pains, which is known as angina pectoris. The pain is intense and is accompanied by tightening of the chest. The pain may radiate to the left arm, the jaw or the back. Another symptom of Ischaemic heart disease is heart failure, sometimes there is intense sweating and difficulty breathing along with the chest pain. The symptoms are as follows -
1. Chest pain
2. Sweating
3. Nausea
4. Dizziness
5. Difficulty breathing
6. Tiredness after physical activities
7. Indigestion and heart burn
8. Swelling of feet or ankles
9. Loss of appetite
10. General weakness
Diagnosis -
Diagnosis is an important part of preventing a heart attack. ECG or Electrocardiography is taken to measure the rhythms of the heart, abnormal or otherwise. This is followed by a chest X-ray and blood, treadmill and cholesterol tests. All these tests are necessary to figure out if a surgical procedure is needed or if the condition can be cured with a healthy diet and medication. A heart transplant maybe necessary if the condition has become severe and the heart is badly damaged.
Proper changes in your diet and lifestyle will definitely help in preventing the risk of heart conditions and enable you to lead a normal and healthy life.
