WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Coronary Artery Disease, also called CAD, occurs when the
arteries in the heart get narrower and harder or become
blocked. It is one of the leading causes of death in America.
It can lead to angina, a heart attack, or congestive heart
failure. The odds of dying from CAD today are much less
than they were 40 years ago. This is because we have learned
about the factors that increase risk of the disease. Some of
these factors can be prevented.
Causes
When fat collects inside the arteries leading to the
heart muscle, the arteries get narrow or become blocked, and
can no longer supply the oxygen the heart muscle
needs.
Risk Factors
The risk of CAD increases as you
get older. You are also at greater risk if you have a family
history of heart disease. These risks cannot be changed, but
others can be eliminated. Needless risks include cigarette
smoking, stress, high blood pressure, a fat-filled diet, excess
weight, and lack of exercise.
Do's/Don'ts
You can decrease your chances of
getting CAD by not smoking and by exercising regularly;
decreasing stress; and controlling other illnesses (such as
diabetes or high blood pressure). You should also eat a diet
low in fat and salt, and high in fiber (from such sources as
fruit, wheat, and grains).
Care
If you are admitted to the
hospital, it will be to receive treatment for problems caused
by the CAD, not to treat the CAD itself. You may also be
admitted to the hospital to see how badly your heart vessels
are blocked.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Check your blood pressure and pulse as directed by
your doctor.
-
Always take your medicine exactly as prescribed. If
you feel it is not helping, call your doctor. Do not quit
taking it on your own.
-
If you take aspirin regularly, continue to take it.
Aspirin helps thin the blood so blood clots don't form. Do
not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
instead.
-
If you are using nitroglycerin (ni-tro-GLIS-er-in),
continue to use it. It may give you a headache and make you
feel a little dizzy, so take it while sitting or lying
down.
-
A diet low in fat, salt, and cholesterol is very
important. It keeps your heart healthy and strong. Ask your
doctor for guidelines.
-
Getting used to a new diet may take time. Special
cookbooks may help the cook in your family find new
recipes.
-
Quit smoking. It causes less oxygen to get to your
heart. If you have trouble stopping, ask your doctor for
help.
-
Exercise daily. It helps make the heart stronger,
lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. If your
exercise plan seems too hard or too easy, talk to your
doctor.
-
Excess weight can make the heart work harder. If you
need to lose weight, ask your doctor for a
plan.
-
Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control
it. Ways to relax include deep breathing, relaxing the
muscles, and imagery. Don't hesitate to talk to someone
about things that upset you.
-
If you have other illnesses like diabetes or high
blood pressure, you need to control them. Take medicines as
directed. Because of these illnesses, you have a higher
chance of getting a heart
attack.
-
For more information about the heart, call the
American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1
(1-800-242-8721) or call your local
Red Cross.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have chest pain anytime that doesn't go away with
rest.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
You have chest pain that spreads to your arms, jaw,
or back, and you are sweating, sick to your stomach, and
have trouble breathing. These are signs of a heart attack.
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. Call
911 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital
or clinic.
Do not drive yourself!
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