Angioplasty is the procedure of opening a coronary artery blockage with the help of wire balloon and stent. This procedure is done to open the blocked coronary arteries if they are causing symptoms or acute heart attacks.

HOW IT IS DONE?

The procedure is usually done in local anaesthesia. A wrist artery (radial) or a groin artery (femoral) is used to gain access to the coronary artery as is done in angiography. A hollow tube called a catheter is passed upto heart artery and through this, a guidewire is passed across the blockage and over this wire balloon is passed and blockage dilated.

After this balloon is removed and the metallic stent is passed over this wire. The stent is then inflated and it takes its shape of the hollow tube so that the flow in the coronary artery is restored.

WHAT ARE INDICATIONS OF ANGIOPLASTY AND STENTING:

An acute Heart attack is the most definite indication of angioplasty and stenting. At the time of the heart attack, there is an urgent need to restore the blood flow of block coronary artery which is usually not possible with medicines alone. Angioplasty is the most effective and definite way of opening the artery urgently in such situation.

SHOULD ALL BLOCKAGES BE OPENED UP BY ANGIOPLASTY AND STENTING?

NO, all blockages do not warrant this procedure. There is some amount of risk involved in the angioplasty procedure itself. When the risk of blockage is considered more than the risk of opening the artery then the procedure is indicated. Patients who are doing good on medicines may be followed up without angioplasty.

All About Angioplasty!

The heart pumps pure blood to all parts of the body through a network of arteries. These are thicker in the beginning and become finer and thinner as they reach the various organs. These arteries are lined by a layer of epithelial tissues and as blood flows through them, the heavier cholesterol / fat molecules settle down along the walls. 


This attracts more and more fat molecules to settle down.  This is known as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Over a period of time, the vessels circumference reduces and the blood supply to the target organ reduces. This impacts proper functioning of these organs and when this happens to the major organs like the heart, kidney or the brain, conditions like stroke or thrombosis or heart attack can occur.


This condition, known as coronary artery disease, is becoming a major cause of deaths.  While that is the bad news, the good news is that it is largely lifestyle dependent, and if steps are taken, it can be prevented, and in the early stages, the damage completely reversed.


Preventive measures: 
1. Diet: A low-fat, high-fiber, heart-healthy diet consisting of Omega-3 fatty acids is recommended by doctors, especially to people who are prone to develop heart disease.  This also requires reduced salt, increased unsaturated fats, reduced triglycerides and reduced sugar.  Include loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and fish oils. Include multivitamins or other supplements after checking with your doctor.


2. Exercise:  Regular exercise in any form increases the efficiency of the circulatory system, keeps the cholesterol levels in check and helps in blood pressure management.  Exercise in any form is advisable, based on individual preference. A moderate physical activity of 30 to 45 minutes per day is advisable.


3. Smoking: This is one of the major risk factors for smoking, and quitting or controlling smoking is one of the best methods to prevent coronary artery disease.


4. Alcohol consumption:  While moderate alcohol consumption is believed to be healthy for the heart, excessive alcohol consumption is a strict no-no.  Binge drinking especially is shown to cause heart attacks.


5. Weight management: Check with your doctor on what is ideal BMI for you and work out a plan to keep your weight under check.


6. Regular medications: If you are on blood pressure or diabetes medications, ensure you do not miss them.  Keep a constant check to ensure your readings are managed well. 


7. Watch out:  Ask your doctor if there are specific symptoms that you need to watch out and seek medical support if you see any of them.


Coronary disease is not treatable fully, but can be prevented and managed effectively to improve the overall quality of life.

Coronary Artery Disease - 7 Ways You Can Prevent it 

Coronary artery disease is characterized by accumulation of plaque in the coronary artery that chokes blood supply to the heart. This plaque buildup usually starts with cholesterol accumulation and gradually other particles such as calcium and lipoproteins get deposited as well. Over time, the plaque accumulates, making the blood vessels narrow and choking the supply of blood. In some cases, if the plaque ruptures, it may lead to formation of blood clots resulting in stroke.

The symptoms of coronary artery disease are:

1. Breathing difficulties: This disorder may lead to shortness of breath as the blood pumping mechanism of the heart is impaired; this usually results in fatigue and exertion. It is advised to avoid advanced cardio exercises such as the high intensity interval training.

2. Chest pain: Stress related activities may cause intense pressure or tightness in your chest, resulting in pain in the middle or left portion of your chest. If you discontinue the activity, the pain would usually subside. In some cases, you may feel the pain in the arm and the neck.

3. Heart attack: If the level of plaque accumulation is excessive, then it may result in a heart attack. It is characterized by breathing difficulties, pain, tightness in the chest and sweating. You may also experience pain in the neck and the jaw.

The causes of coronary artery disease are:
1. Smoking and alcohol consumption
2. Leading a sedentary lifestyle ups the risk of coronary artery disease
3. Hypertension
4. High cholesterol levels in the body
5. Blood sugar problems

Treatment
1. Get your blood pressure under control: If you suffer from high blood pressure, then it is recommended to get it under control to prevent coronary artery disease.
2. Quit smoking: If you are a habitual smoker, then it is time to nip the habit in the bud. Smoking is known to constrict blood vessels as it is a vasoconstrictor.
3. Eat healthy: Eat a well balanced diet consisting of vegetables and fruits so that your body receives the essential nutrients to function well.
4. Beat stress: You need to control your stress levels through exercise or meditation. Take time off work and do activities that make you happy.

Coronary Artery Disease: Causes and Treatment

Coronary Artery Disease - Symptoms and Causes

Coronary artery disease is the disease in which the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood, nutrients and oxygen to your heart get damaged or disease stricken. It is mostly caused due to the coronary artery getting plagued or inflamed. The consequent reduction in blood flow to the heart causes the various symptoms of coronary artery disease like angina (chest pain), short breath etc.

Symptoms:

Here is a list of a few symptoms that help in identification of the coronary artery disease.

1. Angina

Pressure or tightness may be felt in or near the area of the chest that results in pain. It is mostly felt in the middle or left side of the chest.

2. Shortness of breath

Another symptom of coronary artery disease is short breath, fatigue and a feeling of exertion.

3. Heart attack

Complete blockage of the coronary artery results in a heart attack that is a prominent symptom of coronary artery disease. A person may feel heavy pressure in the chest, pain in the shoulder or arm, sweating etc. prior to getting a heart attack.

Causes:

Coronary artery disease occurs when damage or injury is done to the inner layer of the coronary artery. This damage causes plaque, which are deposits made of fat, cholesterol and other cellular waste materials to accumulate near the damaged area of the artery. This process is known as atherosclerosis.

The various causes that result in coronary artery damage are listed below.

- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- High stress
- Physical inactivity

Knowing Coronary Artery Disease - Symptoms and Causes

Coronary artery disease or CAD is the name given to the heart condition in which the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients, also called coronary arteries, get blocked, damaged or diseased.

Blockages usually happen when cholesterol-containing deposits called plaque deposit in your arteries. Plaque narrows the lumen of your coronary artery which means your heart gets lesser and lesser oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
Inflammation is also to blame for coronary artery disease.
Common symptoms of CAD include

Angina or pain in the chest
Shortness of breath
If the blockage is complete, you can get a heart attack.
Common Diagnostic tests
When you go to a heart specialist, she will ask questions about your medical history and follow it up with a physical exam and order routine blood and diagnostic tests to confirm CAD like:

Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records electrical signals as they travel through your heart revealing evidence of a previous heart attack or one that s happening. Holter monitoring is a type of ECG where you wear a portable monitor for 24 hours as you go about your normal daily activities. Abnormalities in the results suggest reduced blood flow to the heart signaling CAD.
Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. It helps your doctor determine whether all parts of your heart wall are contributing to your heart's pumping activity. If certain parts are moving weakly it can mean damage to muscle due to a heart attack or because of receiving too little oxygen- again signaling CAD.
Exercise Stress test: This test is done by making you do exercises like walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike during an ECG. Sometimes, medication to stimulate your heart may be used instead of exercise.
This again detects areas in your heart that receive less blood flow.

Cardiac catheterization or angiogram. A special dye is injected into your coronary arteries to observe blood flow through your heart in a test known as an angiogram.
The dye is sometimes also injected into the arteries through a long, thin, flexible tube called catheter that is threaded through an artery in your leg to the arteries in your heart. This procedure is called cardiac catheterization. This test is very good in diagnosing CAD as the dye outlines narrow spots and blockages on the X-ray images of your heart.
Heart scans. Computerized tomography or CT can help your doctor actually see calcium deposits in your arteries that can be narrowing your arteries. If a substantial amount of calcium deposits are found, coronary artery disease could be the reason.
MRI scans are also done to diagnose CAD.

Common Tests For Coronary Artery Disease!

The CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) is a condition where the blood flow in your arteries is impaired. This happens when the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart are damaged. As a result, plaque builds up in the arteries and the blood flow to the heart is decreased.

This will eventually lead to chest pain or angina and other symptoms. If the arteries are blocked completely, you may suffer a heart attack later on. It is one of the leading causes of death and heart attacks all over the world.

What are the causes of CAD?

The CAD may be caused due to an injury to the inner part of the coronary artery. This may be due to the following factors  

High blood pressure and cholesterol

Smoking

An unhealthy or sedentary lifestyle

Diabetes

If the inner wall of the artery is damaged, deposits made of cholesterol and other cellular wastes are collected in the region. The process is called atherosclerosis. If this plaque surface breaks, the platelets in your blood will try to fix the artery. In the process, these platelets are accumulated in the area. Too much accumulation can block the artery.

As the arteries are responsible for providing oxygen-rich blood to your heart, blockage in the region will lead to a heart attack.

Moreover, Coronary Artery Disease may be caused if you have a family history of heart diseases. It is more likely to occur when you are over 65 years of age. Factors such as obesity and high levels of stress can also lead to this condition. 

Symptoms

The common symptom of Coronary Artery Disease is angina or pain in the chest. However, the condition may be accompanied by other symptoms, like  

Tightness, heaviness, burning or a squeezing sensation in the chest

Sweating

Dizziness

Shortness of breath followed by extreme fatigue

Pain in the arms, shoulders or the back

Severe pressure in the shoulders and arms that lead to heart attack

The angina symptoms are commonly misunderstood as symptoms of indigestion. Be aware and seek medical assistance immediately.

Treating CAD with Ayurveda 

The following Ayurvedic herbs are helpful for preventing the deposits of harmful fats in your blood vessels  

Guggulu

Chandraprabha Vati

Combination of herbs like Amlaki, Arjuna, Punarnava, Kutki and Triphala

Another important treatment procedure for the disease, as prescribed by Ayurveda, is meditation. Meditating for about 20 minutes every day will help you relax and calm your nerves. It will help you enhance your mental health and happiness. This will keep your heart healthy.

This prevents the body from forming angiotensin is a hormone that causes your blood vessels to get smaller which increases your blood pressure. This baeltablet helps in Lower angiotensin levels, then help widen your blood vessels and let your blood flow more easily this reduces your blood pressure. This Bell tablet helps in blocking the effects of angiotensin on your heart which helps in lowering your blood pressure and these roots helps in preventing blood clots from forming, some do this from making substances called clotting factors and others keep the clotting factors from working or preventing other chemicals from forming so that clots cannot develop. What is most important is that all these herbs help in dissolving existing plaque. This drug also works as thromboxane it prevents platelet to stick together to form a clot.

You can also opt for Panchkarma therapy that is a rejuvenating experience consisting of massages and steam baths. High cholesterol is effectively treated using this therapy. 

To prevent risks of CAD, you must exercise regularly and avoid consuming foods high in fats and sugar. Reduce the amount of preserved foods. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetable daily. Furthermore, get plenty of sleep and stop consuming alcohol or cigarettes to stay healthy.

CAD (Blockage In Arteries) - How Can Ayurveda Handle It?

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