Risk Of Developing Coronary Artery Disease example essay topic

"Heart disease, also called coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, 41.2% of all deaths in the United States were related to cardiovascular disease. About every 29 seconds one American will have a heart attack; about every minute one American will die from a heart attack. Fourteen million Americans have active symptoms of heart disease (heart attack or chest pains). Many millions more have silent coronary disease, the first indication of which can be sudden death (Ford-Martin, 2002)".

A heart attack victim is typically thought of as a middle-aged man, perhaps a little paunchy, most likely a workaholic executive type. It's a stereotype that has been reinforced by the media and by the medical profession itself, which in the past has focused much of its research into heart disease on this type of patient. However, the fact is Heart disease is more than just a man's disease. "Better than 1 in 5 women have some form of heart or blood disease.

By the time a woman reaches 65, she has a 1 in 3 chance of developing cardiovascular disease. And a number of studies show that African-American women are at even greater risk than these averages (Sifton, 2001)". One of the reasons that so much more attention has been focused on men is that they are much more likely to be stricken with heart disease in their prime middle years, whereas women tend to get it 10 to 20 years later. Women are typically affected after menopause. It is then that heart disease becomes a very real problem. However, a woman of 60 is about as likely to get heart disease as a man of 50, and by the time they are in their 70's, men and women get heart disease at equal rates.

In the past two decades, death rates from cardiovascular disease have declined in both men and women, but have gone down more slowly in women. (Sifton, 2001) Heart Disease has become a very real problem in this country. With so many American's overweight, and obesity at an all time high, it is no wonder that this disease has become the number one killer among women and men. Because of this rise in heart disease and heart attacks, it must be understood what heart disease is, what causes it, how it's treated. It is through this understanding that prevention and survival can take hold and better prognosis can be obtained. The term "heart failure" can seem pretty intimidating, as if the heart has "failed" or stopped beating.

Actually, the term means that the heart isn't pumping as well as it should. Usually the heart has been weakened over time by an underlying problem, such as clogged arteries, high blood pressure, a defect in its muscular walls or valves, or some other medical condition. According to The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, "Heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries become partially blocked or clogged. This blockage limits the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, the major arteries supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

The coronary arteries expand when the heart is working harder and needs more oxygen. If the arteries are unable to expand, the heart is deprived of oxygen (myocardial ischemia). When the blockage is limited, chest pain or pressure called angina may occur. When the blockage cuts off the blood flow, the result is heart attack (myocardial infarction or heart muscle death) (Ford-Martin, 2002)". Coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become partially blocked or clogged. This blockage limits the flow of blood from the coronary arteries.

The coronary arteries are the major arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart, and it is this blood that the heart depends on to work accordingly. Arteries would expand, for example, when a person is climbing stairs, exercising, or participating in any intense physical activity. If the arteries are unable to expand, the heart is deprived of oxygen. When the blockage cuts off the flow of blood, the result is heart attack.

(Milto, 2001) So what are the contributing causes of this deadly killer? Making reference again to The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Second Edition: "Coronary artery disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis. Cholesterol and other fatty substances accumulate on the inner wall of the arteries. They attract fibrous tissue, blood components, and calcium, and harden into artery-clogging plaques. Atherosclerotic plaques often form blood clots that can also block the coronary arteries (coronary thrombosis).

Congenital defects and muscle spasms can also block blood flow. Recent research indicates that infection from organisms such as Chlamydia bacteria may be responsible for some cases of coronary artery disease. (Ford-Martin, 2002) A number of major contributing factors increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease. Some of these can be changed and some cannot. People with more risk factors are more likely to develop coronary artery disease.

These factors can range anywhere from heredity to obesity and stress. Heredity, sex, age, and ethnicity are obviously factors that are not preventable. Peoples whose parents have had coronary heart disease are more likely to develop it. African-Americans are also at greater risk. In fact it should be pointed out that, "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African-American men and women - claiming the lives of over 100,000 annually. In 2000, cardiovascular disease accounted for 33.5 percent of deaths among African-American men and 40.6 percent among African-American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the National Center for Health Statistics.

Overall, more than 945,000 Americans die each year due to cardiovascular disease - more than from any other disease". web Sex and age also play a significant part in the development of coronary artery disease. While Men are more likely to have heart attacks than women are and to have them at a younger age, over age 60 women have coronary artery disease at a rate equal to that of men. In addition to gender, age plays a huge role in this phenomenon. Men, who are 45 years of age and older, and women, who are 55 years of age and older, are more likely to have coronary artery disease, and fall victim to this deadly disease. Occasionally, coronary disease may strike a person in the 30's.

Older people (those over 65) are more likely to die of a heart attack. In addition, older women are twice as likely as older men to die within a few weeks of a heart attack. (Milto, 2001) While some contributing factors cannot be changed, there are other factors which are self-induced and can be avoided. Smoking, obesity and lack of exercise, and stress are just a few of these factors. "Smoking increases both the chance of developing coronary artery disease and the chance of dying from it. Smokers are two to four times more likely than are non-smokers to die of sudden heart attack.

They are more than twice as likely as non-smokers to have a heart attack. They are also more likely to die within an hour of a heart attack. Second hand smoke may also increase the risk. (Milto, 2001) " In addition to smoking, obesity can also contribute to degenerative heart disease. Excess weight increases the strain on the heart and increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease even if no other risk factors are present. Obesity increases blood pressure and blood cholesterol and can also lead to diabetes.

People who are overweight are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, even if they have no other risk factors. Losing weight is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart problems, and other diseases. One of the most beneficial ways to loose excess weight, and prevent excess weight gain is exercise. Lack of exercise increases the risk of coronary artery disease. Even modest physical activity, like walking, is beneficial if done regularly. People who don't get enough physical activity are much more likely to develop health problems.

Regular, moderate physical activity can lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. (Milto, 2001) Many of the lifestyle changes that prevent disease progression are maintaining a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. In addition, weight loss, if needed, exercise, and eliminating stress may also help prevent the disease from developing. In addition to understanding what causes heart disease, and how it can be prevented, it is also necessary to understand how it can be successfully treated.

"Coronary artery disease can be treated many ways. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Treatments include lifestyle changes and drug therapy, percutaneous trans luminal coronary angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Coronary artery disease is a chronic disease requiring lifelong care. Angioplasty or bypass surgery is not a 'cure' (Sifton, 2001)". People with less severe coronary artery disease may gain adequate control through lifestyle changes and drug therapy.

Drugs such as nitrates, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers relieve chest pain and complications of coronary artery disease. Also such treatments as coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery can also be used to improve blood flow in the coronary arteries. Furthermore a technique referred to as stinting is becoming more popular, and more widely utilized. (Milto, 2001) In conclusion, it is not only necessary to understand what heart disease is, but how it can be prevented and what treatments are available. Heart disease is a very real phenomenon, and it could possibly be argued that education could be the best tool to fight it. It is necessary for each person to take measures now to avoid activities such as smoking, obesity, and stress, and to adopt good habits of exercising regularly, eating right, and monitoring cholesterol.

It is in this way that this disease can be controlled and regulated best.

Bibliography

Heart disease. Paula Ford-Martin, PhD. and Teresa G. Odl e, PhD. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Kristine K rapp and Jacqueline L. Longe, Editors. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, Updated 2002.
Coronary Heart Disease. AltCareDex System. B. Gwyn and M. Hammer ly, Editors. Englewood, Co: Micromedex, Inc. 2001.
What Causes Heart Disease? What to do about High Cholesterol (Harvard Special Health Reports). P.J. Skerrett in consultation with Mason Freeman, M.D. Stanford, CT: Harvard Health Publications, 2000.
web Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2002).
Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. California: Wadsworth / Thomson learning "Heart Disease: The Greatest Threat of All". The PDR Family Guide to Women's Health and Prescription Drugs. David W. Sifton, Editor in Chief. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, 2001.