04/16/2024
Heart Blockage is also known as coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, or ischemic heart disease. Heart blockage occurs when cholesterol (plaques) gets deposited on the wall of the arteries in the heart, causing narrowing. Due to this, the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the heart struggle to complete their work. Heart blockage is severe and may cause severe complications. This blog highlights everything related to heart blockage.
Signs and Symptoms
It takes several years for heart blockage to develop, and there may not be any symptoms of this condition for a long time. However, as time passes, the narrowing of the arteries will increase and may produce mild symptoms. These symptoms usually indicate the heart working and pumping harder for oxygen delivery. As the narrowing of the arteries worsens, so do the symptoms. The signs and symptoms indicating heart blockage include the following,
- Angina or chest pain (feeling pain, tightness, or heaviness in the chest)
- Dyspnea or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- A heart attack occurs when the artery is blocked completely. The symptoms to watch out for as they may be an indication of a heart attack include pain in the chest, sweating, pain that spreads through the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw and back, and shortness of breath.
Heart Blockage can lead to a variety of Conditions
Heart blockage or coronary artery disease can cause a variety of issues if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The following conditions may arise as a result of cardiac blockage:
- Abnormal or irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmias
- Chest pain or angina
- Heart stroke
- Failure of the heart
- Immediate death
Non-Surgical Solutions For Heart Problem
Nonsurgical therapies for heart blockages include drugs, lifestyle changes, and risk factor management.
Drug Therapy for Heart Disease
The medications for treating cardiac blockage include the following,
- Antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure.
- Antihyperlipidemic medications can lower the body's dangerous cholesterol levels.
- Antiplatelet medications such as aspirin, ticlopidine, & clopidogrel can help avoid blood clots.
- Medications such as nitroglycerin & ranolazine for patients having angina.
Changes in Lifestyle
Lifestyle modifications that help in managing heart blockage include the following,
- Quitting smoking and using products containing tobacco
- Reducing heavy alcohol intake
- Eating a healthy, nutrition-rich diet
- Cutting out excessive salt and sugar from the diet
- Exercising regularly
- Managing stress
Managing Risk Factors
By obtaining the right guidance from a healthcare expert, you can help lower the chance of heart blockage. Diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol, and obesity are all known to be risk factors for heart blockage, thus controlling these can help minimize the risk.
Angioplasty Using Balloons and Stenting
Balloon Angioplasty and Stenting is a therapy method that is typically utilised in individuals with heart blockage who have not responded to medicines. Balloon angioplasty involves making a small incision in the patient's wrist or groyne, and inserting a thin tube (catheter) into the blood vessel to reach the blocked artery. A small balloon on the catheter tip is then inflated. Inflating the balloon in a restricted or blocked artery compresses the blood clot or plaque against the artery's sidewalls (wall), allowing the blood to flow properly.
Stenting involves the surgeon removing the balloon catheter and inserting a stent in its place. A stent is a tiny mesh-like metal device that supports the blood vessel and prevents the artery from closing or narrowing again. This improves the flow of blood and lowers angina.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation for individuals with heart blockages is utilised to speed up their recovery and lower the chance of future incidents. In cardiac rehabilitation, the patient receives a personalised programme that includes an exercise programme, education about the numerous risk factors for heart blockage and lifestyle changes to lower the risk. It is also known as cardiac rehabilitation.
Effective tips to Prevent Cardia Blockage
Certain risk factors for heart blockages are difficult to manage. However, there are certain preventive measures that, when implemented correctly, can help to reduce the risk of heart blockage. The preventive measures include the following:
- Quitting smoking and using products containing tobacco
- Limiting heavy alcohol consumption
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and low in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
- Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Taking the prescribed medications on time
- Getting adequate sleep
- Managing stress
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Educate yourself about the various risk factors.
Conclusion
Heart blockages are common and can occur to anyone. Being diagnosed with a heart block can be distressing. This illness, however, is manageable and preventable with healthy lifestyle changes. People with diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension can also lower their risk by seeking early treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To prevent the worsening of a heart blockage, patients must manage their stress well. You can discuss any concerns or questions you have concerning heart blockages with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is heart blockage or coronary artery disease curable?
A: Unfortunately, neither heart blockage nor coronary artery disease have a cure. However, the illness can be effectively managed if preventive measures, doctor's advice, and treatment plan are followed correctly. Better management of the illness improves the quality of life.
Q2. When to see the doctor if I have a heart blockage?
A: Once identified, your doctor will develop a treatment plan and schedule you for tests and regular check-ups. However, please contact and see your doctor promptly,
- If your symptoms worsen
- If you experience any new symptoms or side effects from the prescribed medications
Q3. When is surgery needed for heart blockage?
A: Patients with cardiac blockage may require surgery if there is a blockage in one of the main arteries or if there is narrowing and blockage in many locations.
Q4. How to clear heart blockage naturally without surgery?
A: To treat a heart blockage without surgery, it is critical to discover heart blockages early, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and take all of the procedures and drugs indicated by the doctor.