Ischemic Heart Disease Research Paper

Words: 1128
Pages: 5

Ischemic Heart Disease
Aka Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Contents Page

Definition:
Ischemic heart disease is classified as plaque (cholesterol build-up) in the walls of coronary arteries. When this happens it is not possible for these arteries to perform their function of supplying blood to the heart. If there is a constant build-up then the inside of the arteries becomes more and more narrow. This is known as Atherosclerosis. However, Ischemic Heart Disease is not Atherosclerosis itself but rather the recurring chest pain or discomfort that follows when a part of the heart does not get enough blood.
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In the 1900s many people became more interested in understanding different heart diseases. There were some physicians and social workers that started an association for prevention and relief of heart disease and later it became the American Heart Association. However these doctors knew very little about it and patients had very little hope for treatment. As time progressed doctors began to explore and experiment the coronary arteries with catheters. Today, these procedures are commonly used to confirm the presence of coronary artery disease and to determine the need for further treatment. Most treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery and other procedures. Computer imaging refers to many non-invasive diagnostic imaging tests. Computer aided technology is used to gather many x-ray and 3D images of the heart to display blockages caused by the Ischemic Heart disease. It determines if arteries are open after surgery and if the arteries remain …show more content…
Glossary:
 Plaque – cholesterol build-up
 Arteries – muscular walled tubes that are part of the circulation system where oxygenated blood is transported from the heart to the rest of the body
 Supplied – transported and delivered
 Diabetes mellitus – most common form of diabetes
 Hypertension - abnormally high blood pressure
 Sedentary – an inactive person
 Hypercholesterolemia – excess amount of cholesterol in the blood stream
 Angina pectoris – severe pain in the chest
 Coronary syndrome – clinical symptoms to do with Ischemia
 Unstable angina – irregular chest pain
 Myocardial infarction – medicine
 MRI scan – Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a diagnostic technique to see the body’s soft tissues and bones
 A CT scan – a painless X-ray test with the involvement of a computer
 Coronary angiography – a test that uses dye and special X-rays to show the insides of your arteries

Reference page:

• Websites:
 http://www.world-heart-federation.org/cardiovascular-health/heart-disease/different-heart-diseases/
 http://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/ischaemic_heart_disease.htm