Coronary heart disease is what?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on October 19, 2024
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Coronary heart disease is the most common type of vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis and is a common disease that harms human health, often occurring in men over the age of forty. Men tend to develop the disease earlier than women. It is defined as atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, causing narrowing or occlusion of the lumen, leading to myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or necrosis, and resulting in heart disease. Currently, the diagnostic gold standard for coronary heart disease is coronary angiography. During coronary angiography, the presence of significant stenosis in the coronary artery lumen of more than fifty percent can diagnose coronary artery atherosclerotic heart disease, or coronary heart disease. The pathological anatomy and pathophysiology of coronary heart disease vary, leading to different clinical manifestations. In 1979, the World Health Organization classified it into five types: 1. Asymptomatic myocardial ischemia. 2. Angina pectoris. 3. Myocardial infarction. 4. Ischemic cardiomyopathy. 5. Sudden death. Currently, based on different characteristics of onset and principles of treatment, it is divided into two main categories: First category: Chronic coronary artery disease. Second category: Acute coronary syndrome. Acute coronary syndrome includes unstable angina, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and sudden death is also included as a manifestation of acute coronary heart disease.

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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 Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Is angina pectoris coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease refers to the occurrence of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage of the lumen, causing myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, and necrosis resulting in heart disease. Through different pathological anatomy and pathophysiology, there are five major types, including asymptomatic coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and sudden death. Angina pectoris is one type of coronary heart disease.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?

Some coronary heart disease patients have asymptomatic myocardial ischemia, and many may not exhibit clear symptoms of angina. Some patients can show signs of angina, with typical symptoms being a pressing pain in the anterior chest area or feelings of suffocation and shortness of breath, primarily located behind the sternum, or radiating to the precordial area and left upper limb, as well as the left side of the back. These symptoms often occur under common triggers such as physical exertion, emotional stress, overeating, or exposure to cold. If it is angina, it generally lasts less than 30 minutes and can be alleviated by rest or taking sublingual nitroglycerin. Some patients who experience a heart attack may have pain in the same areas, but the nature and duration of the pain will be significantly increased, and nitroglycerin may be less effective.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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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.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can coronary heart disease be cured?

Coronary heart disease, when treated with effective medications, can achieve clinical symptom relief or disappearance, generally without the chance of a cure. This is because the onset mechanism of coronary heart disease is due to coronary artery atherosclerosis causing insufficient blood supply to the myocardium, leading to myocardial damage, and arteriosclerosis worsens with age. Patients with coronary heart disease should pay attention to adjusting their dietary structure, adopting a low-fat, low-salt diet. Under the guidance of a doctor, the regular and correct use of some medications that invigorate blood circulation, nourish the myocardium, and dilate coronary arteries can improve myocardial ischemia and achieve clinical symptom relief or disappearance.