Coronary Atherosclerosis Case Study

Cardiovascular diseases has affected large number of population worldwide and in developed countries it is responsible for half of all deaths, coronary artery disease (CAD) alone is responsible for 1 of every 4.7 deaths in the United States (Eichner et al., 2002).

Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops when plaque builds up in the narrow arteries of the heart. The arteries that are affected supply blood to your heart, oxygen, and numerous amounts of nutrients to the heart. The plaque that builds in the arteries is from the amount of cholesterol that is accumulated in the arteries. The plaque that builds within the arteries of the heart decrease the blood flow to the heart often resulting in chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other symptoms. This disease is often not diagnosed until the patient has a heart attack. The reason that coronary artery disease goes unnoticed is because this disease develops over decades. “Heart disease is the leading cause of

The following summary is an updated case study of a 47 year old male patient, Jim who was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. The patient did receive information on what CAD is and was informed that test were needed to fully diagnose and be evaluated for underlying conditions (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes and blockage. I will discuss the type of test needed for this condition and tests for any underlying conditions that are related to this disease. The type of treatment needed to control and lower his risk factor. I will also give the patient information about complementary and alternative medicine so the patient will be well informed about different types of treatment. The patient will be informed about the prognosis of the disease, and the options that the patient has to succeed in the changes in his lifestyle that are needed.

This chronic disease is also known as atherosclerosis and is characterized as a fatty plaque build-up in arteries which blocks the blood flow to the vital organs in ours bodies; with the heart being the main target. This potentially life-threatening blockage results in starvation and deprivation of oxygen enriched blood and vital nutrients that are necessary for the heart to maintain proper function; and that is being able to pump blood efficiently. Typically, it is said that the process of heart disease may begin during childhood years of an individual’s life. In a healthy individual; our arteries start out smooth and elastic, allowing effortless blood flow to our hearts and throughout our bodies. As this cholesterol-laden plaque begin to accumulate within the walls of blood vessels (which may be caused by a poor diet, and lack of physical activity, or simply hereditary) the vessels become inflamed. With the body’s effort in healing itself, this destructing plaque begins to release substances such as lipoprotenins, calcium, and inflammatory cells throughout the bloodstream.

Coronary artery disease remains number one killer of the western civilization despite 40 years of aggressive drug and surgical interventions (Esselstyn). Usually, pharmaceutical drugs, such as statin, are given to try to slow the progression, but may provide uncomfortable side effects. In fact, the majority of patients discontinue statins within 1 year of treatment initiation (Maningat). Furthermore, surgery is performed to circumvent clogged arteries and literally bypass the symptoms. In the last year, 500,000 coronary bypass procedures were performed (Swaminathan et al). However, these surgeries can have significant risks, including the potential to cause further heart damage, stroke, and brain dysfunction. Thus, it is evident that these way of treatments may not be enough on its own, and that getting to the

Coronary Artery Disease, also known as CAD, is the most common form of heart disease. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Coronary Artery Disease obstructs the blood flow in vessels that provides blood to the heart which is caused by the buildup of plaque on the artery walls. (Rogers, 2011, p.87) (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Plaque is a yellow substance that consists of fat substances, like cholesterol, and narrows or clogs the arteries which prevents blood flow. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Plaque can build up in any artery but usually favors large and medium sized arteries. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the commonest heart disease in the United States1. Approximately, 29% of patients with Myocardial Infarction ( MI ) present with ST- elevation Myocardial Infarction ( STEMI )2. STEMI is the result of complete occlusion of a major epicardial coronary artery due to thrombus formation. STEMI from a small coronary artery presenting as substantial EKG abnormalities similar to occlusion of a major artery and hemodynamic instability is a rare entity. The epidemiology, typical clinical presentation, outcomes, and optimal management in this group of patients are not sufficiently known.

Cardiovascular disease is a substantial concern and has emerged as one of the leading health issues. In examining cardiovascular disease, its incidence is astounding. Each year approximately one million men and women die, averaging one death every thirty three seconds (Heart, 2013).The death rate for cardiovascular issues such as myocardial infarction and CHF claim more lives than cancer and Aids combined. Heart disease will be the number one cause of death by the

Coronary heart disease: Coronary heart disease is the build-up of plaque such as cholesterol and other fatty substances within the coronary arteries causing a reduced or no supply of oxygen to the heart. The process of plaque lining the coronary arteries is called arteriosclerosis. Coronary heart disease can be caused and triggered by many different factors. These

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) it is also know as Coronary Artery Disease. It happens when the blood vessels delivering to the heart develop blockage or are narrowed by plaque, which reduces the flow of the blood, oxygen and nutrients supplied to the heart. If this happens the person starts to feel chest pain (also known as angina pectoris) and then it lead to the person to have a heart attack. It is known to be the main factor to cause cardiac arrest and it can be fatal unless the heart is restarted in minutes.

A sufficient coronary artery blood flow is essential to supply oxygen for normal cardiac activities (Craft, 2014, p. 599). Atherosclerosis is a common form of CHD. It is an inflammation disease when plasma cholesterol is high. Risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes increase the risk of endothelium injuries, contributing to the increase in oxidated lipid-lipoprotein (LDL). Foam cell is produced by the increase in the number of macrophages signalled by oxidated LDL. Next, the accumulation of foam cells will cause the formation of fatty streak lesions on arteries walls. Over time, fatty streak lesions migrate to the site and form fibrous plaque due to the increase in smooth muscles and collagen. The thickening and hardening initiated by an accumulation in calcified fibrous plaque caused the blood vessels to narrow. As a result, a decrease in tissue perfusion contributing to the development of myocardial ischemia (Craft, 2014, p. 599; McCance & Huether, 2014, pp. 1145-1147).

One of the patient’s secondary diagnoses is atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris. He had a heart valve replacement in 2011. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances builds up inside the arteries. This is an issue because the plaque hardens over time and narrows the arteries, which then limits the flow of oxygenated blood to vital tissues. This condition can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and death. Coronary artery atherosclerosis is the single largest killer of both men and women in the United States (Boudi, 2016). The patient’s atherosclerosis is located in the coronary artery. This artery is one of two main blood vessels that branch off

     In today’s society, people are gaining medical knowledge at quite a fast pace. Treatments, cures, and vaccines for various diseases and disorders are being developed constantly, and yet, coronary disease remains the number one killer in the world.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart. Your arteries are made to carry oxygen infused blood to your heart and other parts of your body if it is filled up with plaque, which is the fatty substance that clogs and blocks up the arteries. If it gets clogged enough to where your heart is not receiving fresh oxygen, you could have a heart attack that could cause very serious damage to your body and could even kill you. When you are younger, you can begin to grow plaque in your blood vessels from not eating right and not exercising regularly. When your arteries are being filled up with plaque they become more narrow and harder for blood to get through as easily as it is supposed to be. When you have

Coronary heart disease is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries which is because of the deposition of fats and cholesterol on the inside lining of the arteries. These deposits which also cause hardening of the walls of the arteries also block the flow of oxygen to the heart. This deprives the heart of the needed oxygen that is required for its proper functioning.