Is coronary heart disease hereditary?

Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
Updated on September 10, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How does one get coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease, officially called coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, is mainly caused by long-term elevated blood lipids, leading to arteriosclerosis, reduced elasticity in arterial walls, and thickening of the inner layer of blood vessels. This results in the narrowing of the coronary arteries and insufficient blood supply, which are the primary causes of coronary heart disease. Prolonged insufficient blood supply in the coronary arteries and severe narrowing can lead to angina and even myocardial infarction, posing significant risks to the body.

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Written by Gong Hao
Cardiology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can people with coronary heart disease drink alcohol?

Patients with coronary heart disease are advised not to drink alcohol, especially those with combined heart failure, arrhythmias, and those who frequently experience angina, as alcohol contains ethanol, which can cause increased excitability of the sympathetic nerves, leading to faster heartbeats and increased heart burden. This can easily worsen heart failure and induce arrhythmias, potentially triggering angina attacks. In daily life, patients with coronary heart disease should consume a diet that is easy to digest and low in fat and salt. They should avoid spicy foods and quit smoking and drinking alcohol.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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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.

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Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of the early stage of coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease refers to the condition where the coronary arteries undergo arteriosclerotic changes, leading to the narrowing or blockage of the vessel lumen, which in turn causes myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or necrosis, resulting in a series of heart conditions. Some of the early manifestations of this disease often include chest pain triggered by physical activity or emotional agitation. Sometimes it can also manifest as a feeling of suffocation and pain, which often appears as paroxysmal angina or crushing pain, and may radiate to other areas such as the shoulder, upper arm, and fingers. Resting or taking medications like nitroglycerin can significantly alleviate symptoms. Other possible symptoms include fever, sweating, panic, nausea, vomiting, etc.