Lesson Two - Cardio-Pulmonary
Completion requirements
Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
What is it?
Coronary artery disease may also be called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease. It is caused by cholesterol-containing products, plaque, sticking to the walls of the artery. Plaque can build up and narrow the
arteries. Over time, this either partially or completely blocks the arteries, causing a slowing or stopping of the blood flow to the heart. This build-up does not happen all at once. It builds up and develops over time, often decades.
Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries, begins when the inner layer of the coronary arteries is damaged in some way, most often by one of the risk factors listed on the next page. This causes a site that plaque can build up on, similar to a scab. Once plaque begins to build up, more plaque sticks to it.
Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries, begins when the inner layer of the coronary arteries is damaged in some way, most often by one of the risk factors listed on the next page. This causes a site that plaque can build up on, similar to a scab. Once plaque begins to build up, more plaque sticks to it.
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Like hypertension, coronary artery disease does not have any initial symptoms. It is not until the plaque has built up and the blood flow decreases that symptoms become noticeable.
- Angina—As blood flow to the heart decreases, it causes a feeling of pressure and/or tightness, usually in the middle or left side of the chest. For some people, it may be more of a fleeting pain or sharp pain and felt in the arms, neck, or back. This pain is usually brought on when the patient is under physical or emotional stress. After the stressful event is over, the feeling will usually go away within minutes.
- Shortness of Breath—May develop as a result of the heart not being able to pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the oxygen needs of the patient's body.
- Heart Attack—Is an acute complication of coronary artery disease that happens as a result of a completely blocked coronary artery.
There are a number of conditions or habits that will increase a patient's risk of developing coronary artery disease. Some of these factors a patient can change, others they cannot. Risk factors include:
- high blood pressure
- low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels in the blood
- diabetes
- unhealthy weight
- unhealthy diet
- high alcohol consumption
- sedentary lifestyle
- smoking or chewing tobacco
- using e-cigarettes or vaping
- stress
- depression
- age
- biological sex
- family history
- Indigenous heritage
- South Asian and African heritage
- personal circumstances
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