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Chen Ya
Geriatrics
About me
Hunan University of Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Geriatrics, attending physician.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Voices
Can arteriosclerosis be cured?
Atherosclerosis can only slow down its further progression and prevent the further occurrence of conditions such as coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and lower limb arterial occlusion. This is because it is influenced by many factors, including both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. For example, modifiable factors include abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and overweight obesity, which we can change. However, there are also non-modifiable factors such as age, genetics, and environmental factors. As age increases, the incidence of atherosclerosis significantly rises. Its pathological changes generally begin in childhood or adolescence, with symptoms becoming more apparent as age progresses.
How should a stroke and a cold be handled?
It is recommended to actively address a cold in cases of cerebral infarction, as most people with cerebral infarction who also have motor disabilities are predominantly bedridden, making them prone to aspiration pneumonia. If a cold is not managed well and develops into pneumonia, it can further aggravate the condition, potentially worsening the perceived motor disabilities if timely functional rehabilitation is not administered, leading to further progression of the illness.
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.
How to relieve arrhythmia
The relief of arrhythmia mainly involves removing any triggers if they exist, as well as using non-pharmacological methods, including ocular compression, carotid sinus massage, pinching the nose and forcefully exhaling, and breath-holding, which are methods to reflexively stimulate the vagus nerve. If relief is unachievable and the episodes are accompanied by hypotension, fainting or near-fainting, seizures, angina, or heart failure, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly for pharmacological interventions against arrhythmias, or even consider electrical treatments such as cardioversion, defibrillation, pacemaker implantation, and ablation, as well as surgical options.
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.
How long does one need to be hospitalized for a cerebral infarction?
The duration of hospitalization for cerebral infarction varies from person to person, depending on the different conditions of the stroke patients, the different causes of the stroke, and the different treatment goals. Generally, the hospitalization time is seven to fourteen days. If the condition of the cerebral infarction is relatively mild, it is also possible to be discharged in five to seven days. However, for some patients with severe conditions, even those who are in a coma or have complications, the hospitalization time will be longer.
Does coronary heart disease spread?
Coronary heart disease is not contagious; it is not classified as an infectious disease. It is a type of heart disease caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. It is a common condition encountered frequently in clinical settings. It occurs due to arteriosclerosis and plaque formation, which leads to narrowing of the arteries, causing ischemia and hypoxia in the heart and resulting in corresponding clinical symptoms.
Can people with coronary heart disease drink alcohol?
Coronary heart disease, strictly speaking, should not involve alcohol consumption because its risk factors include age, gender, family history, abnormal blood lipids, drinking, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise. Additionally, excessive drinking can easily exacerbate coronary heart disease and provoke heart attacks. However, consuming small amounts occasionally might not immediately trigger or worsen a cardiac incident. Therefore, if you must drink, it is advised to do so in moderation and primarily choose red wine.
Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?
Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.
How long can one survive after a stroke?
The lifespan after a stroke depends on the location and area of the stroke, the treatment received, and subsequent complications. Some patients with severe acute strokes are at risk of life-threatening conditions, and not everyone survives this acute phase. Those who do survive and enter the recovery and post-effects phases can extend their lifespan by controlling risk factors for stroke, delaying or preventing recurrence. Early rehabilitation, such as acupuncture during the early recovery phase, does not affect the normal lifespan in mild cases. However, recurrent strokes can shorten the lifespan, especially if complications like aspiration pneumonia occur afterward.