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Acute Coronary Syndrome - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which specialist should I consult for acute coronary syndrome?A: You should consult a cardiologist.
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Q: Can one enjoy a normal life after ACS or how to prevent repeat attack?A: People who have suffered ACS are at higher risk for a repeat attack. However, keeping BP less than 130/80 mm of Hg, maintaining BMI between 18.5-24.9, avoiding smoking, keeping triglyceride levels in check and regular physical exercises for 30-60 minutes daily can greatly contribute to normalcy. Low dose aspirin and beta blocker drugs may also be recommended on a daily basis.
Q: What is acute coronary insufficiency?A: It is a sudden life-threatening condition where there is reduced blood supply to the arteries supplying the heart. This can result in angina if blockage is partial and heart attack if there is death of cardiac muscle.
Q: Is the incidence of ACS same for males and females?A: Men have a greater risk for coronary artery disease and are more likely to have heart attacks earlier in life than women. Women's risk for heart disease increases after menopause.
Q: What is silent ischemia?A: Some people with severe coronary artery disease do not have angina pain. This condition is known as silent ischemia. This is a dangerous condition because patients have no warning signs of heart disease. Some studies suggest that people with silent ischemia experience higher complications and mortality rates than those with angina pain.
Q: Is there a relation between genetic factors and ACS?A: Genetic factors increase the likelihood of developing diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. These are important risk factors in the occurrence of ACS.
Q: Do only overweight people suffer from heart problems?A: People who are overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and a chance of developing Type II diabetes. All these increase the heart workload thereby increasing the chances of developing a blockage in blood flow to the heart.
Q: How does smoking affect ACS?A: Smoking raises blood pressure and causes the blood to clot more easily, thereby putting the heart at risk.
Q: Why is it essential to control the cholesterol levels in the body?A: High levels of cholesterol cause fatty plaques to build up in blood vessels. This restricts blood flow to the heart and can cause a heart attack.
Q: How does high blood pressure affect ACS?A: High blood pressure stresses the heart. This causes thickening of the walls and increase in the size of the heart. Also, the thickened muscle walls make it harder for the heart to pump out blood. Insufficient blood supply may result in ACS.
Q: Is sexual activity safe after ACS?A: Sexual activity after a heart attack is generally considered safe. Also, the feelings of intimacy and love that accompany healthy sex can help counteract depression.
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Acute Coronary Syndrome - Glossary
Glossary Anticoagulants: Substance that prevents clotting of blood.Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries due to deposition of fatty material along the walls of arteries. It is form of arteriosclerosis.
Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart that usually results from atherosclerosis.Published on May 24, 2017Last Updated on Mar 13, 2023
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MBBS, MD, DM Cardiology, Post DM Fellowship, FSCAI21 years experienceApoorva Superspeciality Medical Centre, Jayanagar, Bangalore
Dr. Manish JainMBBS, Diploma in Cardiology, MRCP, Fellowship in Cardic Imaging18 years experience
Carotid Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, And Treatment
Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis. The term refers to the narrowing of the carotid arteries. This narrowing is usually caused by the buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, called plaque. Carotid artery occlusion refers to complete blockage of the artery. When the carotid arteries are obstructed, you are at an increased risk for a stroke, the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.
What Are the Carotid Arteries?The carotid arteries are two large blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the large, front part of the brain. This is where thinking, speech, personality, and sensory and motor functions reside. You can feel your pulse in the carotid arteries on each side of your neck, right below the angle of the jaw line.
How Does Carotid Artery Disease Happen?Like the arteries that supply blood to the heart -- the coronary arteries -- the carotid arteries can also develop atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" on the inside of the vessels.
Over time, the buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol narrows the carotid arteries. This decreases blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of a stroke.
A stroke -- sometimes called a "brain attack" -- is similar to a heart attack. It occurs when blood flow is cut off from part of the brain. If the lack of blood flow lasts for more than three to six hours, the damage is usually permanent. A stroke can occur if:
Strokes can occur as a result of other conditions besides carotid artery disease. For example, sudden bleeding in the brain, called intracerebral hemorrhage, can cause a stroke. Other possible causes include:
The risk factors for carotid artery disease are similar to those for other types of heart disease. They include:
Men younger than age 75 have a greater risk than women in the same age group. Women have a greater risk than men older than age 75. People who have coronary artery disease have an increased risk of developing carotid artery disease. Typically, the carotid arteries become diseased a few years later than the coronary arteries.
What Are the Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease?You may not have any symptoms of carotid artery disease. Plaque builds up in the carotid arteries over time with no warning signs until you have a transient ischemic attack(TIA) or a stroke.
Signs of a stroke may include:
A TIA occurs when there is low blood flow or a clot briefly blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain. With a TIA, you may have the same symptoms as you would have for a stroke. But the symptoms only last a few minutes or few hours and then resolve.
A TIA is a medical emergency because it is impossible to predict whether it will progress into a major stroke. If you or someone you know experiences any of the above symptoms, get emergency help. Immediate treatment can save your life and increase your chance of a full recovery.
Findings show that someone who has experienced a TIA is 10 times more likely to suffer a major stroke than a person who has not had a TIA.
How Is Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosed?There are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease until you have a TIA or stroke. That's why it's important to see your doctor regularly for physical exams. Your doctor may listen to the arteries in your neck with a stethoscope. If an abnormal sound, called a bruit, is heard over an artery, it may reflect turbulent blood flow. That could indicate carotid artery disease.
Listening for a bruit in the neck is a simple, safe, and inexpensive way to screen for stenosis (narrowing) of the carotid artery, although it may not detect all blockages. Some experts believe that bruits may be better predictors of atherosclerotic disease rather than risk of stroke. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have had any symptoms, such as those listed above.
Your doctor may also use a test to diagnose carotid artery disease. Possible tests include the following:
To effectively treat carotid artery disease, doctors recommend the following:
To keep carotid artery disease from progressing, the following lifestyle changes are recommended:
Your doctor may recommend antiplatelet medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) to decrease the risk of stroke caused by blood clots. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In some cases, warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner, may be prescribed.
What Medical Procedures Treat Carotid Artery Disease?If there is severe narrowing or blockage in the carotid artery, a procedure can be done to open the artery. This will increase blood flow to the brain to prevent future stroke. Your doctor may suggest either of the following procedures:
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