Marsha Daulah Salsabila

XI-4 MIPA

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes impaired blood flow in the arteries
that supply blood to the heart. Also called coronary heart disease (CHD), CAD is
the most common form of heart disease and affects approximately 16.5
million Americans over the age of 20. It’s also the leading cause of death for both
men and women in the United States. It’s estimated that every 40 seconds,
someone in the United States has a heart attack.

CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply
blood to the heart (called coronary arteries) and other parts of the body. Plaque is
made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances in the artery. Plaque
buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, which could partially
or totally block the blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis. If the surface
of the plaque breaks or ruptures, blood cells called platelets will clump at the site
to try to repair the artery. This clump can block the artery, leading to a heart
attack.

Too much plaque buildup and narrowed artery walls can make it harder for
blood to flow through your body. When your heart muscle doesn’t get enough
blood, you may have chest pain or discomfort, called angina. Angina is the most
common symptom of CAD. You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest, as if
someone were standing on your chest. This pain, referred to as angina, usually
occurs on the middle or left side of the chest. Angina is generally triggered by
physical or emotional stress.

Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle. This may lead to heart
failure, a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood the way that it
should. An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, also can develop.
 Coronary artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the
inner layer of a coronary artery, sometimes as early as childhood. The damage
may be caused by various factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes or insulin resistance, and sedentary lifestyle.

Age are one of the risk factors of CAD. Based on age alone as a risk factor,
men have a greater risk for the disease beginning at age 45 and women have a
greater risk beginning at age 55. Men are generally at greater risk of coronary
artery disease. However, the risk for women increases after menopause. The risk
for coronary artery disease is also higher if you have a family history of the
disease. Moreover, diabetes, smoking, unhealthy diet, overweight, and high
stress also can increased risk of heart disease.

The same lifestyle habits that can help treat coronary artery disease can
also help prevent it from developing in the first place. Leading a healthy lifestyle
can help keep your arteries strong and clear of plaque. To improve your heart
health, you can quit smoking, control conditions such as high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and diabetes, stay physically active, eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that's
rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, maintain a healthy weight, reduce and
manage stress.
 QUESTIONS

1. What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Also called coronary heart disease (CHD), coronary artery disease is a

disease that causes impaired blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to
the heart.

2. How many people in America that are affected by CAD?

CAD affects approximately 16.5 million Americans over the age of 20.

3. What is the causes of CAD?

CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply
blood to the heart (called coronary arteries) and other parts of the body.

4. How is the process of atherosclerosis?

Artherosclerois happens when the plaque that buildup causes the inside of
the arteries narrow over time, this situation could partially or totally block
the blood flow. If the surface of the plaque breaks or ruptures, blood cells
called platelets will clump at the site to try to repair the artery. This clump
can block the artery, leading to a heart attack.

5. What is Angina?

Angina is the most common symptom of CAD. You may feel pressure or
tightness in your chest, as if someone were standing on your chest. This
pain, usually occurs on the middle or left side of the chest.

6. What is the factor that can damage the inner layer of coronary artery?

The damage caused by various factors, such as smoking, high blood

pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or insulin resistance, and sedentary
lifestyle.
 7. Who has the more higher risk of CAD?

Men are generally has higher risk of coronary artery disease

8. When is the moment when men and women have the greater risk of CAD?

Men have a greater risk for the disease beginning at age 45 and women
have a greater risk beginning at age 55. The risk for women increases after
menopause.

9. What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is a condition where the heart can’t pump blood the way that it
should, so the heart works in irregular beat.

10. How to avoid CAD?

To avoid CAD, we can quit smoking, control conditions such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, stay physically active, eat a low-fat, low-
salt diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, maintain a healthy
weight, reduce and manage stress.