How does one get coronary heart disease?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on December 26, 2024
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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 Liu Ying
Cardiology
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Coronary heart disease belongs to the department of cardiology.

Coronary heart disease is the abbreviation for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. It occurs when coronary arteries undergo atherosclerosis, causing narrowing or blockage of the lumen, leading to myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or necrosis. After the diagnosis of heart disease, if conservative treatment or coronary intervention is administered, then it falls under the category of cardiology. However, if coronary heart disease is diagnosed and further treatment necessitating bypass surgery is needed, then a cardiac surgeon should perform the surgery.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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What should not be eaten with coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease is a cardiovascular disease, essentially characterized by atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Therefore, foods that should be avoided are those that could further negatively affect vascular function and blood circulation. Specifically, foods high in cholesterol should be limited, particularly animal organs such as liver and offal from pigs and chickens, as these are the primary culprits in causing coronary artery atherosclerosis due to high blood lipids. Furthermore, foods rich in cholesterol like preserved eggs, crab roe, fish roe, and cream should also be consumed less frequently to prevent increased blood lipid levels and higher chances of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Additionally, strong tea should be avoided as it may cause excitement, insomnia, and trigger heart disease. Also, it's advisable to avoid spicy foods and condiments such as chili peppers and mustard, as these can cause vasoconstriction and spasms, leading to angina or even myocardial infarction. Finally, smoking should be quit and alcohol intake should be limited, with individuals frequently experiencing episodes of coronary heart disease advised to abstain from alcohol completely.

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Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
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How to Provide Emergency Aid for a Heart Attack

The cause of coronary heart disease is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart and resulting in symptoms. Therefore, the emergency treatment for a coronary event often involves the use of medications that dilate the coronary arteries to alleviate the symptoms of myocardial ischemia. Commonly used nitrate medications taken sublingually can quickly relieve symptoms of angina. The significance of nitrates lies in their ability to release nitric oxide donors, which can effectively dilate the coronary arteries. This dilation improves blood flow through the coronary arteries and thus corrects symptoms of myocardial ischemia. During an attack, considering sublingual nitrate medication is advisable, provided there is no history of severe hypotension from nitrates, or if there is no hypotension during the attack, under these circumstances, this type of medication can be considered. If any of the above contraindications exist, such as low blood pressure, one might also consider sublingual administration of some traditional Chinese medicine preparations, like emergency pills, which can be used as well.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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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.

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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.