CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE=CAD
Is the number one cause of Heart Attack (myocardial infarction) or MI. More than six million Americans feel symptoms due to CAD every year. About one and one half million have MI's which causes about one third of them to die.
CAD has many forms but all the same cause; the heart does not get enough blood and oxygen. Sudden death without prior warning is a tragic symptom of CAD. CAD can also lead to ANGINA (chest pain) as well as MI. Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, that follows with the narrowing of the arteries is the cause of most CAD.
Because our diets contain high cholesterol and saturated fats, these materials cling to the walls of the arteries resulting in Arteriosclerosis. The continual buildup of materials inside the arteries leads to the narrowing and blockage of same. This causes a lower amount of oxygenated blood to flow to the heart; therefore, causing Angina (chest pain) during exercise or even at rest.
Angina is explained as central chest pain/ discomfort such as pressure and/or tightness, possibly radiating to the neck, jaw and /or left shoulder. If one of these arteries becomes blocked, it will limit the amount of blood to a specific region of the heart causing an acute MI.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:
I became dizzy, short of breath, chest tightness and chest pain (Angina), not overly strong, but enough to let me know that something was wrong. Went to the Doctor and was immediately admitted to the Hospital with an acute MI.
Later Catherization resulted in the diagnosis of Athersclerosis, Arteriosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This was all the result of a junk food diet, smoking two packs of cigarettes a day and an unrestrained life style, with the following results; A triple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).
I quit smoking while in the hospital, (cold turkey what else?) and remained smoke free for about six nmonths. Riding in a car for a doctors appointment, I lit a cigarette to prove that I quit and could stop at any time? Yeah, right! Don't you ever believe that! I continued right on smoking.
One year later to the day, I had an acute MI in the Doctors office. I was re-admitted to the hospital and cardiac catherization revealed that the triple CABG had collapsed and was no longer functioning. Due to "Coding" during and after the original CABG, I was considered a high risk for any further surgery; therefore, I was placed on many medications and discharged from the hospital.
SYMPTOMS OF CAD
Angina is the primary indication of CAD. Angina will cause off and on pain, pressure or discomfort in the mid-chest area. You may also feel Angina in the neck, jaw or arm. I would describe the Angina as a dull ache, numbness or pressure. Some say it feels similar to heartburn or gas. Angina pain is usually felt after exertion or sudden stress. Angina usually goes away after rest or the use of nitroglycerine tablets or spray.
Medications such as Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers or Nitrates are used in an attempt to control Angina. Other symptoms may be shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, belching, sweating, nausea and irregular heart beats.
About one fourth of the people that have CAD do not have symptoms. Also the above symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so check with your Doctor if you are having problems or symptoms.
TESTS TO DETERMINE CADElectrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
EchocardiogramStress Test (Treadmill, Different Types)Cardia-Catherization
Gated Pool Scan
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONSI have had all of the above tests on numerous occasions. Other than, in my opinion, minor discomfort, all of the above tests were no problem and nothing to get worried about. There is a risk as with any test or invasive procedure
I am not a Doctor and do not profess to be one. I have no medical degrees of any kind and the information I have provided is just that, Information. Do not take anyones advice but your Doctors. None of this information is provided to be used in lieu of a DOCTOR.
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