Cardiovascular risk factors include both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Download our free blood pressure monitoring chart to track your readings for discussion with your healthcare provider.
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Understanding your risk factors can help you take steps to protect your heart health. Some cannot be changed, but many can be managed with lifestyle changes or treatment.
Risk increases as you get older, especially after 45 for men and 55 for women.
Men and post-menopausal women have higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Having a close relative with early heart disease raises your risk.
Some populations have a higher genetic predisposition to heart disease.
Smoking damages blood vessels and significantly increases heart disease risk.
High blood sugar can damage arteries and accelerate atherosclerosis.
Excess body weight is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
Puts extra strain on your heart and arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack.
Elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries.
Lack of exercise is linked to multiple heart disease risk factors.
Heavy drinking can raise blood pressure and damage the heart muscle.
Diets high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt increase cardiovascular risk.
Cardiovascular risk factors include both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Download our free blood pressure monitoring chart to track your readings for discussion with your healthcare provider.
We understand that seeking reliable information about your heart can be overwhelming, and that’s why we’ve compiled a list of common questions and their answers to empower you with knowledge. Whether you want to learn about normal heart rates, blood pressure, heart disease risk factors, or heart-healthy lifestyle choices, we’ve got you covered. You can find additional information in the Resources secton by clicking here.
The coronary arteries play a critical role in maintaining a healthy heart by supplying oxygen-rich blood to its muscles. However, when these arteries become diseased, it can have serious consequences.
The symptoms and complications of coronary artery disease (CAD) vary depending on the extent and location of the disease within the heart arteries.
The heart primarily has two main arteries, the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery. The left coronary artery further branches into the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery, ensuring adequate blood flow to the entire heart. The specific artery affected determines the symptoms experienced, including chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or asymptomatic cases.
Tailoring the best treatment strategy, whether through lifestyle changes, medications, stents, or bypass surgery, is crucial and based on a personalized assessment of the affected coronary artery/arteries. This emphasizes the importance of individualized care and management in addressing CAD.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a widespread condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. One of the primary culprits behind CAD is the gradual accumulation of lipid plaque within the arterial walls. In this section, we shed light on this process and its potential consequences, leading to restricted blood flow or even an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Coronary artery disease starts with artery damage caused by risks including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.
In response to injury, cholesterol and other substances infiltrate the damaged area, initiating formation of plaques that may cause narrowings.
Over time, the plaques accumulate layers of cholesterol, calcium, and cellular debris, causing the artery walls to thicken and narrow.
As the plaque enlarges, it restricts the flow of blood to the heart muscle, leading to symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath.
In some cases, plaque can rupture, causing a clot to form. If this becomes large enough to completely block the artery, it can result in a heart attack.
Recognizing common symptoms of CAD, such as chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and silent ischemia, is vital for early detection. Myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a severe complication. When in doubt or experiencing persistent symptoms, seeking advice from a healthcare professional is crucial. Early detection and management are key to improving outcomes and preventing complications.
Angina can feel pressure, tightness, squeezing, or a burning sensation in the chest. It is typically triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress and tends to subside with rest.
This may occur during physical activity or even at rest. The reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to narrowed arteries can lead to less oxygen supply, causing breathlessness.
Some cases, particularly those with diabetes mellitus, may experience silent ischemia. This refers to a lack of typical symptoms despite reduced blood flow to the heart with minimal to no symptoms.
Symptoms of a heart attack may include intense and prolonged chest pain, tightness or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting and pain radiating to the arms, jaw, or back.
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Let's delve into the diverse range of medications used in the management of coronary artery disease (CAD) and associated symptoms like angina. These medications play a crucial role in improving symptoms and preventing complications. Always discuss medicines with your doctor and pharmacist.
Here we present a video demonstrating some innovative research using a technology called optical coherence tomography (OCT for short). This technology utilizes near infrared light to scan within the arteries of the heart and can visualize plaques in high resolution. Professor Barlis discusses the use of OCT to better understand how plaques develop and cause complications.
The specific characteristics of heart stents can vary depending on the manufacturer and the advancements in stent technology. It is essential for healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate stent size, length, and type based on individual patient needs and the severity of the coronary artery disease. Here are some basic statistics:
In recent years, 3D printing technology has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in the medical field, offering exciting possibilities for personalized healthcare solutions. One area where 3D printing holds immense promise is in the development of personalized heart stents.
Traditional heart stents come in predetermined sizes and designs, which may not always perfectly match the anatomical variations of each patient's coronary arteries. However, 3D printing enables the creation of custom-designed stents tailored to the unique specifications of an individual's arterial anatomy.
By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or optical coherence tomography (OCT), we can generate detailed 3D models of a patient's coronary arteries. These models serve as a blueprint for designing stents that precisely fit the patient's vessels, optimizing the stent's effectiveness and reducing the risk of complications.
Chief Biomedical Engineer, Vascutech Pty Ltd.
and Honorary Researcher, Graeme Clark Institue
The University of Melbourne
1.3+ Million youtube views
This informative and engaging video delves into the intricate details of heart stents, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of their significance in cardiovascular health. With its compelling visuals, expert narration, and accessible explanations, the video has successfully captured the attention of a wide audience, highlighting the ever-growing importance of heart health education in today’s digital age.
Bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is a surgical procedure that may be recommended for certain cases of coronary artery disease (CAD). Particularly, it is considered when there is multivessel disease (narrowing or blockages in multiple coronary arteries) or involvement of the left main artery, which supplies a large portion of the heart muscle. Bypass surgery offers a potential solution by creating new pathways (grafts) using blood vessels from other parts of the body to bypass the blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, restoring improved blood flow to the heart.
Presenting a selection of articles on coronary artery disease (CAD) and its management. CAD is a common heart condition caused by narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, leading to complications like angina, heart attack, and heart failure. The articles cover risk factors, diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and research advancements.
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When first-line therapies for angina, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, prove inadequate or are not well-tolerated, second-line therapies may be considered.
Perhexiline is a unique medication that enhances the heart's ability to utilize fatty acids for energy, reducing its reliance on oxygen and lowering oxygen demand. This action helps improve blood flow and alleviates chest pain in some patients with refractory angina.
Nicorandil is another second-line option with a dual mechanism of action. It opens potassium channels in smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Additionally, nicorandil also stimulates nitric oxide release, further dilating blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic agent that improves cardiac efficiency by enhancing glucose metabolism and shifting the heart's energy production to a more oxygen-efficient process. As second-line therapies, these medications offer alternative approaches for managing angina in individuals who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments or those experiencing side effects from other medications.
Lipid-lowering therapies are essential in managing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed. Among the most commonly prescribed treatments are statins, which reduce cholesterol production in the liver and significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Other medications may be used to target different aspects of lipid metabolism:
In recent years, a newer class of medications known as PCSK9 inhibitors—such as Repatha (evolocumab)—has become available. These drugs block a specific enzyme involved in cholesterol regulation and can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol, particularly in patients who do not achieve target levels with statins alone.
Together, these therapies provide a range of options to personalise treatment and improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Nitrates are widely used to treat angina and provide quick relief from chest pain. These medications are commonly available as sublingual sprays or tablets, skin patches, and long-acting tablets.
Nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced vascular resistance. This reduces the heart’s workload and lowers its oxygen demand, offering prompt relief from angina symptoms.
Sublingual nitrates act quickly and are typically used at the onset of angina symptoms, while patches and long-acting tablets are used for ongoing prevention.
Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, and flushing. These often improve with continued use but should be discussed with a healthcare provider if persistent or bothersome.
Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, felodipine, Cardizem (diltiazem), and verapamil, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina.
These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing them to relax. This relaxation leads to the widening of blood vessels, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.
For individuals with angina, calcium channel blockers reduce the heart’s workload and oxygen demand, helping to relieve chest pain and prevent angina episodes.
While effective, they may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, facial flushing, and ankle swelling. These effects should be monitored and discussed with your healthcare provider if they persist.
Beta blockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol, play a crucial role in managing angina.
These medications work by blocking specific receptors in the heart, which slows the heart rate and reduces the strength of each contraction. This results in a lower oxygen demand by the heart and helps relieve chest pain associated with angina.
Beta blockers are highly effective in both relieving symptoms and preventing angina episodes. However, they may cause side effects in some individuals, including tiredness, worsened asthma symptoms, more vivid dreams, and erectile dysfunction in some males.
It is important to consult your healthcare provider to determine whether beta blockers are a suitable option for your angina and overall heart health.
Anti-platelet medications play a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation and reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Commonly used agents include aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.
Aspirin: This well-known medication inhibits platelet activation, reducing the likelihood that platelets will clump together and form clots. It is widely used for both primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
Clopidogrel: A potent anti-platelet agent, clopidogrel works by blocking specific receptors on platelets to prevent aggregation. It is commonly prescribed for patients with acute coronary syndrome, those undergoing stent placement, and some individuals with peripheral arterial disease.
Ticagrelor: Ticagrelor also inhibits platelet activation and is typically used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. It is often prescribed alongside aspirin to provide dual anti-platelet therapy and further reduce the risk of heart-related events.