Essay Sample on Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction

Almost everyone has heard about heart diseases. They vary from the cholesterol and blood pressure to bypass surgery to a heart attack. Among many of the old aged people, heart disease is one of their topmost concerns. In the recent past, the number of people experiencing heart attacks in the US is increasing steadily. According to the CDC report (Heart Disease Facts & Statistics | CDC report. 2018), nearly 619,000 people succumb due to heart diseases in the United States every year, which is equals to 1 in every 4 deaths. Coronary artery disease (CAD) also known as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) stands predominantly as the most common type of heart disease that killed more than 370,000 people annually. CAD affects the arteries of the heart, and there are four main coronary arteries that are located on the surface of the heart, they include: right main coronary artery, left main coronary artery, left circumflex artery, and left anterior descending artery (Heart Disease Facts & Statistics | CDC report, 2018).

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What Causes CAD? The cause of Coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by the state when the arteries that transport blood to the heart muscles become narrow and hardened. This is because the inner walls of the arteries are accumulated with cholesterol and other materials referred to as plaque. This type of build-up in the arteries is known as atherosclerosis. The increased build-up leads to the restriction of the blood flow through the arteries, consequently restraining the heart muscles from getting the blood or oxygen that it requires for its functioning, such states lead to chest pain (angina) or what is referred to as the heart attack. Many of the heart attacks are as the result of the sudden cut off the hearts' blood supply, leading to permanent heart damage (Hanson, Fareed, Argenio, Agunwamba & Hanson, 2013).

What Are the Signs of CAD?

Symptoms of CAD vary from one person to another due to factors like age, gender, environment, and daily activities. Since CAD develops over years, the symptoms are not realized until when there is a complete blockage of the arteries that may be server and life-threatening. One can realize the symptoms when relaxed while others at the time when engaged in a vigorous physical activity. The typical symptoms of CAD in a person include chest discomfort or pain (Angina), swelling of the feet, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, extreme fatigue with exertion, and pain in the shoulders or arms. Women may develop atypical chest pain, which might be sharp or fleeting and realized in the back, abdomen or arm. As compared to men, there is a high likelihood that women will experience other warning signs of the heart attack, such as back or jaw pain and nausea. In other instances, the heart attack may occur without any apparent sign or symptoms (Hanson et al., 2013).

How Serious is CAD?

Many physicians cite CAD as a serious condition that could lead to serious damage to the heart and consequently lead to fatality. In the artery, there can be either a single blockage or multiple blockages which vary with the severity and location. With time, the accumulations progressively narrow the coronary arteries, leading to the heart receiving less oxygen or blood. Therefore, the blood flow is decreased leading to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath or other related symptoms. A complete blockage of arteries can lead to heart attack, due to the fact that the heart dies since its muscles receive inadequate blood or oxygen. With time, the CAD deteriorates the heart muscle and leads to arrhythmias and heart failure. Heart failure denotes that the heart is unable to effectively pump the blood around the body. Arrhythmias are variations of the normal beating rhythm of the heart (Task Force Members, et al., 2013).

What Tests Shows Blocked Arteries?

There are two common tests that show the block of arteries, they are the Nuclear Stress Test and computed tomography (CT) scan.

Nuclear Stress Test

This form of tests is used by the physician to see the heart of the patient while at rest and after a physical exercise. The test can show the size of the heart chambers, and how well the blood is pumped and detects the presence of any dead or damaged muscle. Also, through the test, the physician can get ample information regarding the patient arteries whether they are blocked or narrowed. The possible results after the test may include one of the following (Nordqvist, 2018).

Table 1: Nuclear Stress Test Results

Cardiac Computed Tomography

Also referred to as CT scan, is a non-invasive test and it utilizes X-rays to take pictures of the patient's heart. They can reflect a picture of a beating heart, as well as it shows blockage and calcium in the heart arteries. The pictures taken can be viewed from different angles. The test can show the blockages, caused by cholesterol deposits, in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart (Versteylen et al., 2013). Since calcium is marked of CAD, the quantity of the calcium detected on the cardiac CT scan is essential prognostic too. The results of cardiac CT are interpreted as a calcium score; below is the calcium scoring for CAD.

Table 2: Nuclear Stress Test Results

Can You Live a Long Life With CAD?

When it comes to the life expectancy when diagnosed with CAD, there is no one particular answer. The severity and fatality of the condition vary with one's age, stage and lifestyle. When detected early and managed, the patient can live longer. As a result of the medical advancement, babies born with CAD are now surviving into adulthood. As for adults, with proper treatment and care, they can survive and live a full and happy life. Hanson et al, (2013) state that, people who thrive after diagnosed with CAD, approach life with a positive and proactive attitude, which is better than dwelling too long on their health challenges.

Can CAD Kill You?

As aforementioned Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the heart diseases that have the highest fatality rate in the United States. CAD makes up approximately 56% of the deaths that are heart-related. Also, it is the leading cause of death in the U.S for both men and Women. In every 40 seconds, someone in the US gets a heart attack and a heart attack can originate from the uncontrolled CAD (Heart Disease Facts & Statistics | CDC report, 2018). CAD can kill you slowly or swiftly, instantly or in a few hours; all depends on the triggering fatal arrhythmias (disturbances in heartbeat) or non-reversible deep state of shock (very low blood pressure).

References

Hanson, M. A., Fareed, M. T., Argenio, S. L., Agunwamba, A. O., & Hanson, T. R. (2013). Coronary artery disease. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 40(1), 1-16.

Heart Disease Facts & Statistics | CDC report (2018). Heart Disease Facts & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Nordqvist, C. (2018). Nuclear stress test: Benefits, with and without exercise, and side effects. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265579.php

Task Force Members, Montalescot, G., Sechtem, U., Achenbach, S., Andreotti, F., Arden, C., ... & Di Mario, C. (2013). 2013 ESC guidelines on the management of stable coronary artery disease: the Task Force on the management of stable coronary artery disease of the European Society of Cardiology.

European heart journal, 34(38), 2949-3003.Versteylen, M. O., Kietselaer, B. L., Dagnelie, P. C., Joosen, I. A., Dedic, A., Raaijmakers, R. H., ... & Daemen, M. J. (2013).

Additive value of semiautomated quantification of coronary artery disease using cardiac computed tomographic angiography to predict future acute coronary syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 61(22), 2296-2305.