Coronary heart disease


Can people with coronary heart disease eat beef?
Patients with coronary heart disease can appropriately eat some beef in their daily life, as beef is rich in protein content and contains a variety of amino acids, which can provide sufficient nutrients to the human body. Also, its fat and cholesterol content are relatively low, so generally, it would not exacerbate the condition too much. However, the diet for coronary heart disease should generally be light, and it is recommended to balance meat with vegetables, focusing more on vegetables. Additionally, eating beef in the cold winter also has a stomach-warming effect, making it more suitable during that time. In contrast, it might not be suitable in the summer, especially for those with internal heat. Beef is more appropriate for individuals with qi deficiency, shortness of breath, weak body, aching muscles and bones, and those suffering from chronic anemia and dizziness. However, excessive consumption can still increase the burden on patients with coronary heart disease, so it is advised to consume in small amounts and not excessively.


What tests are done for coronary heart disease?
The diagnostic tests for coronary heart disease include: electrocardiogram, exercise stress test, Holter monitoring, nuclear myocardial imaging, echocardiography, hematologic tests, multi-slice spiral CT, as well as coronary angiography and intravascular imaging, among others.


Can people with coronary heart disease eat eggs?
Patients with coronary heart disease can eat eggs; it is recommended to eat one each morning to balance the nutritional needs of the body. However, it is crucial not to consume them excessively, as eggs, especially the yolks, contain cholesterol and a high amount of lipids. One of the primary causes of coronary heart disease is the accumulation of lipids due to atherosclerosis. Therefore, to prevent an increase in cholesterol levels, excessive consumption should be avoided, as it can lead to higher cholesterol levels if the body cannot digest it properly, exacerbating the condition and causing harm to the body. Thus, it's important to control and moderate consumption.


How is coronary heart disease diagnosed?
The routine non-invasive examination for coronary heart disease primarily includes an essential electrocardiogram, as well as echocardiography. Blood tests generally look at cardiac enzymes and the status of troponin to check for any heart muscle damage. In terms of invasive methods, we can perform coronary angiography, which allows us to directly observe the condition of the coronary arteries. The condition of coronary arteries can also now be examined through a non-invasive CT angiography (CTA), which can also reveal any narrowing of the coronary arteries and assess the severity of such narrowing.


How to provide emergency aid for a heart attack
Emergency treatment for a heart attack includes promptly transporting the patient to the emergency room. During this process, sublingual administration of quick-acting heart-saving pills or compound Danshen dripping pills, as well as nitroglycerin, can be used. Additionally, if conditions allow, blood pressure should be measured. If the blood pressure is very high, antihypertensive medication should be taken to control it. This serves as an initial emergency response until the patient can be assessed in the emergency room to determine the specific cause and type of heart attack, followed by targeted emergency treatment.


What is good for patients with coronary heart disease to eat?
For patients with coronary heart disease, a predominantly vegetarian diet is recommended. The diet should be low in calories, fats, cholesterol, and salt; high in protein, vitamins, and fiber; non-irritating; divided into more frequent, smaller meals; and consist of easily digestible foods. Regular consumption of nutrient-rich, easily digestible foods is advisable, especially those containing high-quality proteins with essential amino acids, B vitamins, and vitamin C. It is important to avoid overeating, restrict salt intake, and remember to include potassium-rich foods. Examples of beneficial foods include beans and their products, potatoes, seaweed, kelp, shiitake mushrooms, other mushrooms, Chinese yam, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, buckwheat, and bananas. Limit the intake of fats and sugar-rich foods, and opt for foods that can reduce blood lipids, such as milk, sheep's milk, soybeans, green beans, peas, lentils, carrots, cauliflower, hawthorn, kelp, fish, onions, and shiitake mushrooms.


Coronary heart disease is caused by what?
Coronary heart disease is caused by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, leading to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. The exact cause of coronary atherosclerosis is not yet clear. Extensive research indicates that the formation of atherosclerosis involves various factors including arterial wall cells, extracellular matrix blood components, local hemodynamic environment, and genetics. Key risk factors include abnormalities in lipoproteins, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, elevated homocysteine, reduced physical activity, and old age. The condition primarily starts with damage to the endothelium and gradually progresses from there.


Can coronary heart disease be cured?
Can coronary heart disease be cured? Objectively speaking, the current treatment of coronary heart disease mainly focuses on controlling the progression of the disease, relieving symptoms, improving the quality of life, and improving the prognosis, but it cannot completely cure coronary heart disease. Firstly, the cause of coronary heart disease is the major blood vessels supplying the heart, the coronary arteries, undergoing atherosclerosis and narrowing, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart, ultimately resulting in angina and heart failure. Therefore, the fundamental cause of coronary heart disease is the pathological changes in the coronary arteries, and the reasons and fundamental mechanisms causing these changes are not entirely clear, and are related to factors such as high blood lipids, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, age, smoking, family history, etc. Thus, the main treatment for coronary heart disease currently is to improve lifestyle, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, control blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, and use aspirin or antiplatelet drugs to inhibit the aggregation of platelets and prevent thrombosis.


Can coronary heart disease be cured?
Coronary heart disease is difficult to cure, but treatment can achieve clinical symptoms without episodes of chest tightness or pain. It is possible to relieve and prevent the further progression of the disease. Additionally, there may be a possibility that plaques could shrink or reverse compared to before, but there is a lack of large clinical data to indicate this.


Is coronary heart disease hereditary?
Coronary heart disease involves genetic factors, but it is not solely due to this factor; multiple factors are involved, including arterial wall cells, extracellular base blood components, and the local hemodynamic environment, all of which can have an impact. Therefore, there is a certain familial aggregation, meaning if there are patients with coronary heart disease in the family, the risk of developing the disease is also increased.