What is Coronary Heart Disease ?
Coronary heart disease refers to the failure of coronary circulation to
supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. It
is mainly caused due to Atherosclerosis or narrowing of the coronary
arteries. The disease can lead to severe chest pain (angina) that can
restrict a person's ability to perform normal activities, or cause a
heart attack.
Who gets coronary heart disease ?
Patient factors associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease
include a family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure,
elevated cholesterol, being overweight or obese, diabetes mellitus and
physical inactivity.
What can I do to help prevent heart problems in
the future ?
A healthy lifestyle can effectively reduce the risk of heart diseases
in the future. Regular exercise is necessary to achieve optimal blood
pressure and cholesterol levels. No smoking, and maintaining a healthy
weight will help prevent recurrent problems.
How will I know if I have angina or symptoms of
a heart attack ?
The symptoms of a heart attack usually last longer and are more severe.
If you have severe chest pain or discomfort that lasts for more than a
few minutes, or is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerine, you should
immediately consult your doctor. Never drive yourself. It is very
important that you do not put off going to the hospital, because early
medical treatment can prevent or minimize the risk of heart attack.
How much exercise is recommended following a
heart attack or bypass surgery ?
A minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
(walking, cycling, jogging, stair climbing, rowing, aerobic dance and
swimming) three to five days a week is recommended. After a cardiac
event, start out by walking 5 minutes every day. Once you are
comfortable with this level of exertion, try building up your next walk
by one to five minutes each week.
How soon the patient can undertake long
distance journey after the surgery ?
Normally patient can travel right after the stitch removal, i.e. 15
days after the surgery. But the doctor takes the final decision after
assessing the overall condition of the patient.
What kind of diet is recommended when you have
heart disease ?
We recommend a diet that has 30% or comparatively less of total
calories from fat. Less than 7% of total calories should come from
saturated fat. The dietary cholesterol should be no more than 200
mg/day. Take in just enough calories to maintain a desirable weight.
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