Ischemic Heart Disease is a condition where reduced blood flow (ischemia) robs the heart of oxygen and nutrients. It usually happens because of a blockage in the coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup.
Sometimes the plaques rupture and cause a blood clot to form in the coronary artery, which blocks the flow of blood and causes chest pain (doctors call it angina). It can also lead to other serious complications such as heart attack, stroke or irregular heart rhythm.
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Chest pain (angina) is one of the most common symptoms of ischemic heart disease. It occurs when your heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood flow and oxygen. The pain usually happens after physical exertion and goes away with rest or medicine. Stable angina is a chronic form of the condition. It occurs because your coronary arteries narrow gradually over many years.
Sometimes the plaque can rupture and cause a sudden blockage of an artery. If the artery is completely blocked, the heart cells don’t get any oxygen and die. This is a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
The pain from ischemia may feel different for men and women. It is most often felt in the center of the chest, but it may be also in your neck, jaw, arms, or belly. It feels like pressure, squeezing, or burning. It can last for a few minutes or longer.
Unstable angina is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment. It is often unpredictable and doesn’t go away with rest or medicines. It means that your artery is narrowing even faster and your heart won’t get enough blood.
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Feeling short of breath—that heavy, can’t-get-enough-air feeling that makes it hard to perform everyday activities—can be a warning sign that something is wrong. If the symptoms are severe or interfere with your daily life, contact your health care provider to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist for a diagnosis.
Breathlessness is a common symptom in ischemic heart disease and can be caused by a variety of factors, including angina, heart attacks, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) and lung conditions such as pneumonia or asthma. People with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and leaky or stenotic heart valves may also feel breathless. If you are experiencing breathing difficulties, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, medications, or treatments to help relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life. For example, if you have COPD, your doctor might prescribe medication to prevent flare-ups of shortness of breath and recommend physical therapy or oxygen. If you have asthma, your doctor may give you an inhaler to help manage your condition. They may also prescribe relaxation exercises and breathing techniques to help you breathe easier.
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Fatigue is a feeling that makes it hard to work or go about daily tasks. It is often a warning sign that something is wrong, such as an illness, injury or problem with diet, exercise and sleep.
The body needs many things to keep going, including food, water, exercise and sleep. One of the most important is oxygen. Every time you breathe, oxygen comes in through your nose or mouth and goes into your blood. Your blood vessels, veins and arteries are like highways that transport the oxygen throughout your body.
When you have ischemic heart disease, your heart muscle doesn’t get the blood supply it needs. This lack of blood flow (ischemia) damages your heart muscle and causes it to weaken and enlarge. This can lead to a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.
Everyone feels tired at times, especially after a long day or intense physical activity. But, if you’re getting enough sleep and eating well but still feel weak and exhausted, see your doctor. They may do some tests to find the cause of your fatigue. The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and lifestyle, habits and feelings. They will also do a physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, thyroid and kidneys.
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A heart attack occurs when the blood vessels – called coronary arteries – that bring oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis). When an area of the heart becomes deprived of oxygen, it damages the heart muscle and can lead to permanent damage or death.
The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort, sometimes described as pressure, squeezing or heaviness. This pain may also feel like a burning sensation, or it may spread to your arms, neck, back, jaw or stomach. It may come and go, and it usually happens when you’re busy or emotional, such as when you are stressed or have a lot on your mind.
Vomiting during a heart attack may be caused by the toxins released as damaged heart tissue dies and the body attempts to expel them. During one study, nausea and vomiting was found to be a significant predictor of inferior wall infarction when peak creatine kinase level was used as a measure of infarct size. (p 0.0001). (References)
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Ischemic heart disease can damage your blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen to parts of your body. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including loss of consciousness.
Fainting, or syncope (sIN-koh-pee), is a sudden short episode of passing out due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. Most people who faint recover quickly and can remember a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness before they passed out. This type of fainting is usually harmless and temporary, but it may be a sign of a serious medical problem.
If you faint with certain warning signs, such as seeing blood, being cold or stressed, or having physical trauma, it is most likely caused by a reflex called vasovagal syncope. This happens when a stressful event triggers a bodily reaction that causes your heart to slow down, pump less blood, and decrease your blood pressure.
Other types of fainting are caused by a combination of factors, including heart problems, low blood sugar, anemia, and nervous system issues that affect how your body regulates blood pressure. If you regularly faint, talk to your doctor about what is causing it.