Methamphetamine Use and Cardiovascular Disease | Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Warning Signs Of Heart Artery Blockages To Watch Out
Heart artery blockages, also called coronary artery disease, happen when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked. This is usually caused by a buildup of cholesterol-containing plaque and inflammation. When blood flow to the heart is restricted, it can lead to serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
Recognizing the early signs of a blockage is crucial because early treatment can prevent severe complications.
One of the most common warning signs is chest pain, also known as angina. People describe this pain as a feeling of tightness, pressure, or squeezing in the chest. It can also spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina often happens during physical activity or stress and usually improves with rest.
However, not all heart problems come with obvious symptoms. Some people experience a silent heart attack, meaning they don't feel severe pain. This is more common in people with diabetes, as nerve damage from the disease can prevent them from feeling pain.
Another key warning sign is shortness of breath. When the heart isn't getting enough blood, it struggles to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body. This can make even simple activities feel exhausting, and some people may feel breathless even when resting.
Unusual fatigue is another symptom to watch for, especially in women. If normal daily tasks suddenly feel more difficult and you feel unusually tired, it could be a sign that your heart is not getting enough blood.
Other symptoms that may indicate a blocked artery include:
Women often experience different heart attack symptoms than men, which can make diagnosis more difficult. Their symptoms are sometimes mistaken for less serious health issues.
Research shows that people who recognize symptoms early and seek medical help quickly have much better outcomes. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology found that early treatment reduces heart damage and improves recovery.
Preventing heart artery blockages involves managing risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and lack of exercise. Lifestyle changes such as:
can significantly lower the risk of heart disease.
If you or someone you know experiences symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue, don't ignore them. Seeking medical attention early can prevent life-threatening complications like a heart attack. Taking proactive steps toward heart health can make a huge difference in preventing and managing heart disease.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about A heart-healthy diet guide for seniors and results showing that Vegan diet may reverse heart disease naturally.
If you care about coffee, please read studies that drinking coffee this way can help prevent stroke, heart disease, and drink coffee after breakfast, not before, for better blood sugar control.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Magnetic Field Regulates Blood Flow In Partially Blocked Arteries
An alarming report by WHO states that ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the year 2021 among Indians, next to COVID-19. Restriction of blood flow in coronary arteries causes ischemic heart disease. Cholesterol, lipoprotein and calcium accumulate in the arteries forming plaque, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. Blood pressure increases, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart attacks. Regulating blood flow and pressure in the blocked arteries can help avoid lethal consequences.
A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) showed that magnetic fields can effectively manipulate blood flow, making blood flow faster or slower depending on field direction. The finding opens up possibilities for using magnets in heart disease treatments and provides insights for creating advanced drug delivery systems.
The researchers used a computation framework to simulate and analyse the blood flow pattern. They consider factors such as flow speed (velocity), pressure, and frictional force within the artery walls (wall shear stress).
"Wall shear stress (WSS) is the force per unit area exerted by the blood flow along the inner walls of blood vessels. It is a critical factor in vascular health, as abnormal WSS can contribute to the development of diseases like atherosclerosis. WSS is influenced by the blood's velocity and viscosity along the vessel walls", says Prof. Abhijeet Kumar, who led the study at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay.
The researchers devised a numerical model of a blocked artery and studied the influence of magnetic fields in the narrowed arteries using mathematical equations. The magnetic field interacts with iron-rich haemoglobin in the blood and impacts the blood flow depending on the direction of the magnetic field. The researchers calculated the motion of blood (using Navier-Stokes equations), analysed electromagnetic fields (using Maxwell's equation) and monitored blood thickness or viscosity and flow (using the Carreau-Yasuda Model).
The researchers modelled different stages of narrowed arteries- mild-25 % blocked, moderate-35 % blocked, and severe-50 % blocked with varied shapes. The arteries are either evenly narrowed (axisymmetric), off-centric (eccentric), asymmetric, or sharp-edged. Axisymmetric and sharp-edged blockages caused the most severe pressure fluctuation and obstructed smooth blood flow. When the researchers applied the magnetic field parallel to the blood flow, they observed an increased blood flow speed. When they used the magnetic field perpendicular to the blood flow, there was a decrease in the flow speed.
Computational simulations showed that the magnetic field increased the blood flow by about 17%, 30% and 60% in mild, moderate, and severely blocked arteries. Stronger magnetic fields facilitated smoother blood flow. Magnetic field orientation that aligns with the blood flow reduces the pressure near the blockage in the severely stenotic (abnormally constricted) artery. Pressure fluctuations create more shear stress on the plaques (accumulated mass that causes the block), increasing the risk of rupture. The study found that magnetic force stabilises flow and pressure fluctuations in all the stenosis shapes, reducing the risk of plaque rupture.
The findings of the study would help treat patients with hypertension. The results show that the magnetic field influences blood flow, pressure, and wall shear stress. This can further help control high blood pressure and prevent damage to arterial walls. The study underlines the importance of magnets in cardiovascular therapies and enhanced patient care. It also highlights possible developments in innovative drug delivery systems using magnets.
"High and ultrahigh magnetic fields have shown both positive and adverse effects in experimental models, suggesting that safety evaluations are crucial before clinical application… Given the complexities and challenges mentioned, including the need for extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals, it might take several years before such treatments become widely available," reminds Prof. Kumar.
The researchers recommend further study, including more realistic models to understand the flexibility and shear stress of a real arterial wall.
"The challenges in transforming this research into practical treatments include the complex interactions between magnetic fields and biological tissues, which can impact cellular structures, blood viscosity, and vessel walls. There is a need for careful evaluation to ensure safety and efficacy," signs off Prof. Kumar.
Wilmington Woman Urging Others To Be Mindful Of Their Health After Her Heart Attack
Your browser is not supportedstarnewsonline.Com
starnewsonline.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.
Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on starnewsonline.Com
Comments
Post a Comment