Atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the heart, cause narrowing or even blockage of the lumen of the blood vessels, resulting in myocardial ischemia and hypoxia and affecting the function of the heart, resulting in heart disease called coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, referred to as coronary heart disease. The main manifestations are angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure and sudden death. Electrocardiogram, myocardial enzyme measurement, radionuclide examination and coronary angiography can further clarify the diagnosis.
Control of blood pressure, blood lipids, weight and smoking cessation can effectively prevent the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease. Patients should take nitrates and drugs that inhibit platelet aggregation under the guidance of doctors, and if necessary, coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery can be done with good results. Du Xinxin, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Wuhan Union Medical College Hospital
1. Eat less animal fat and cholesterol-rich foods, such as egg yolk, fish roe, animal offal, etc. Eat less meat and more fruits.
2. Moderate the amount of meals and control weight.
3. Limit the intake of salt to less than 10 grams per day.
4. If you suffer from hypertension, you should take long-term antihypertensive drugs under the guidance of a physician to keep your blood pressure at a normal or low level.
5. Live a regular life, avoid excessive stress and mood swings. Keep your bowels open and get enough sleep.
6. Do light physical activities, such as tai chi, radio exercises, walking, etc.
7. Always have medicines to relieve angina so that you can take them at any time. If the pain persists or cannot be relieved by medication, go to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment immediately.
Primary prevention of coronary heart disease
For those who have not yet developed coronary heart disease, preventive measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of coronary heart disease.
1. Primary prevention for high-risk individuals High-risk individuals are those who have significantly increased or moderately increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels and other risk factors for coronary heart disease (high cholesterol, HDL cholesterol too low 45 years old, women >55 years old, family history of early-onset coronary heart disease. To reduce blood cholesterol level, quit smoking, control blood pressure and physical activity, reduce weight, etc.
2. Primary prevention for those with moderate risk
Moderate risk patients are those with high LDL cholesterol levels and no other risk factors. The risk is relatively high, but there is no risk of coronary heart disease in the near future. This group is large in number, mostly young and middle-aged men and women.
3. Treatment
(1) Early detection of abnormal blood cholesterol and its reduction. Some people believe that the risk of coronary heart disease can still be reduced to the baseline level if cholesterol is lowered only when atherosclerosis is advanced, which is incorrect.
(2) Guided improvement of dietary habits and increased physical activity. From the U.S. age-specified coronary heart disease, it is hypothesized that the reduced incidence is associated with lower blood cholesterol due to reduced cholesterol and saturated fatty acid intake. It is hypothesized that a 10% reduction in total cholesterol at age >40 years reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%; at age >50 years, a 10% reduction in total cholesterol reduces the risk by 39%; at age >60 years, a 10% reduction in total cholesterol reduces the risk by 27%. Mild cholesterol lowering in middle-aged people and maintaining it for life is a very effective preventive measure to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
(3) High consumption of vegetables and fruits.
4. Lifelong prevention
If effective prevention begins in childhood, the incidence of coronary heart disease is likely to be greatly reduced by the time they become elderly.
Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
1. refers to existing coronary heart disease, active treatment of risk factors
(1) Diet: avoid high-fat diet, but also ensure that the body’s various nutrients are met to prevent malnutrition.
(2) Life and living: regularity in life, reasonable sleep time, and prevention of sleep deprivation.
(3) Personal habits: Smoking and alcohol abuse are known to cause and aggravate coronary heart disease. From the perspective of prevention, especially young people should stay away from these bad habits.
(4) Attention should be paid to the treatment of underlying pathologies: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, etc.
2. Prevention of heart attack (1) Pay attention to diet: don’t overeat; reduce the intake of cholesterol, fat and sugar; eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables; remove excess fat through proper diet and exercise; don’t put unnecessary burden on the heart.
(2) Do not smoke.
(3) Increase your activity: live an active life, walk more, climb stairs instead of elevators, and exercise regularly.
(4) Cope with mental stress: seek ways to mediate stress in your life, you can cultivate hobbies or exercise to loosen the tension in your daily life, control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, check your body regularly and follow the instructions of your doctor.