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Health Department

"A Good Heart Really Does Matter"

Michelle McGlynn RN

What is Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is the main form of heart disease. Coronary Artery Disease or CAD is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart. It can lead to a heart attack when an artery becomes blocked due to plaque occluding the vessel. This occlusion of the vessel prevents oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart and the heart muscle affected, in essence dies. Although when we hear the words "heart disease", we think of a heart attack, there are other cardiovascular diseases. They include stroke, high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and rheumatic heart disease. Stroke also known as a "brain attack" is many times also caused by a blockage of the vessel/vessels. However, in a stroke the vessels that are affected are those that lead to the brain. The occlusion of a vessel leading to the brain prevents vital oxygen and nutrients from getting to the brain . For our purposes, we will focus on the heart.

Risk Factors For Heart Disease

1. High Blood Pressure
2. High Blood Cholesterol
3. Diabetes
4. Smoking
5. Obesity
6. Sedentary Lifestyle
7. Family History of Heart Disease
8. Age (55 and older in Women)
9. Menopause/Early Menopause

Although there are risk factors that we have no control over such as age, family history and menopause, there are many risk factors such as our weight, smoking, activity level, cholesterol, etc…that we can manage and try to control to lower our risk for heart disease.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack (MI)
Typical (Women Can Present Differently)

1. Crushing, burning pain, pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest which may radiate to both arms, neck, shoulders or jaw. The pain usually lasts more than a few minutes, is not relieved with rest, but can also subside and return.
2. Shortness of breath
3. Chills
4. Diaphoresis (sweating)
5. Nausea/vomiting
6. Cold, clammy skin
7. Pallor
8. Panic and a feeling of impending doom

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack (MI) in Women
Possibly Presenting in Women for Weeks/Months Prior to MI

1. Milder chest pain/discomfort or no chest pain at all
2. Flu-like symptoms
3. Throat discomfort
4. Unusual fatigue
5. Sleep Disturbance
6. Shortness of breath/light-headedness
7. Indigestion
8. Anxiety
9. Back pain

Women are less-likely compared to men to believe that they are having a heart attack and therefore delay seeking life-saving treatment! This may be one reason along with women's responses to treatment that cause more women than men to not survive a heart attack.

Common Tests For Detecting Heart Disease/MI

Blood test: (Used to detect a Heart Attack): A blood test will be done routinely to check for enzymes or other substances that are released when cells begin to die. These are "markers" of the amount of damage to your heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This is a graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and relaxes. The ECG can detect abnormal heartbeats, some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow, and heart enlargement.

Nuclear scan: This test shows areas of the heart that lack blood flow and are damaged. It also can reveal problems with the heart's pumping action. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. A scanning camera positioned over the heart records whether the nuclear material is taken up by the heart muscle (healthy areas) or not (damaged areas). The camera also can evaluate how well the heart muscle pumps blood. This test can be done during both rest and exercise, enhancing the usefulness of its results.

Coronary angiography (or arteriography): This test is used to check blockages and narrowed areas inside coronary arteries. A fine tube (catheter) is threaded through an artery of an arm or leg up into the heart. A dye that shows up on X ray is then injected into the blood vessel, and the vessels and heart are filmed as the heart pumps. The picture is called an angiogram or arteriogram.

Stress Test: A stress test can be used to test for heart disease. Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and/or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). The most commonly performed stress test is the exercise stress test.

Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test: This test is used in people who are unable to exercise. A drug is given to make the heart respond as if the person were exercising. This way the doctor can still determine how the heart responds to stress, but no exercise is required.

How To Lower Risks for Heart Disease

1. Monitor Blood Pressure
2. Maintain weight (BMI) or Body Mass Index
3. Monitor Blood Sugar (diabetes)
4. Quit Smoking
5. Increase Physical Activity/Exercise (30 minutes/day)
6. Eat a Healthy Diet
7. Monitor Cholesterol (LDL: Bad cholesterol, HDL: Good cholesterol and Triglycerides
8. Keep an Open and Good Communication with your Doctor

Review the risk factors that were presented and start to lower your risk of heart disease TODAY! Remember, "A Good Heart Really Does Matter!

Important Links, Resources, and Resources for the above information