Question 1

What are the possible causes of heart blockage symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The main reason for such signs and symptoms could be a heart problem. Your doctor can diagnose based on your family history, physical examination and blood tests. They may also recommend additional tests, such as ECG, Echocardiogram or Heart Angiogram. Identifying the cause early can help in managing the condition appropriately.

Question 2

Do I need any tests?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor might request blood tests initially to evaluate the blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They might also test for other markers to check for inflammation. Based on the physical examination and blood tests, the doctor might recommend additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram or angiogram of the heart, to evaluate if the arteries are blocked and understand the health status of the heart.

Question 3

Should I see a specialist?

Accepted Answer

Based on the seriousness of the condition, your doctor might refer the patient to a specialist. The early stages of coronary artery disease can be managed with medication. However, in serious cases, with a blocked artery or multiple blocked arteries, the doctor might recommend a specialist for further treatment.

Question 4

Should I follow any restrictions while I wait for my next appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor might recommend certain lifestyle and dietary changes to keep the blood cholesterol in control and avoid any further vascular injury.

Question 5

Can obesity cause a blocked artery in the heart?

Accepted Answer

obesity plays a vital role in the blocked artery. Obesity is a determinant of bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High cholesterol levels are a leading cause of coronary artery disease. Did you know that obese people need more blood to maintain the supply of oxygen and nutrients in their bodies? Unfortunately, this elevates blood pressure and high blood pressure is a leading determinant of coronary artery disease. Obesity not only leads to high blood pressure, cholesterol and blocked arteries, but it can also contribute to other medical conditions, such as diabetes.

Question 6

What signs and symptoms prompt a call for emergency medical help?

Accepted Answer

Immediate medical treatment is important in case of a heart attack. Therefore, you need to understand the symptoms that are suggestive of a heart attack. Seek medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain

Discomfort in any part of the upper body

Shortness of breath

Nausea or vomiting with lightheadedness, dizziness, or cold sweat

Your doctor can also educate you on the signs and symptoms indicative of a heart attack.

Question 7

I am getting a coronary bypass graft procedure. Will it impact my work after the surgery?

Accepted Answer

This is an open-heart surgery and your doctor will inform you about the procedure in detail. In many cases, patients can rejoin work after a few weeks. However, it is best to discuss the post-operative measures with the doctor while understanding your work requirements.

Question 8

What should I do to prepare for a doctor’s appointment?

Accepted Answer

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. Speak to your doctor in advance.

Write down any symptoms you're experiencing before the meeting.

Write down your key medical information, including details of a family history of heart disease.

Find a family member or friend who can join you for the meeting.

Write down questions to ask your doctor. It is important to know about the disease, lifestyle measures, treatment and post-operative care.

Question 9

What do you mean by a blockage of heart arteries?

Accepted Answer

Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The arteries are composed of smooth inner walls, which help the blood to flow easily. When these arteries are blocked, they are known as clogged arteries. Clogged arteries occur when there is a buildup of plaque along the inner lines of the artery walls. This can cause a blockage in the flow of blood. You should be careful about clogged arteries since they greatly increase the chances of heart attack, stroke and even death. It can happen at any age, which makes it important to be aware of the symptoms of clogged arteries.

Question 10

How do I find out if my arteries are blocked?

Accepted Answer

Most arterial blockages already form by the time people reach their 20s. Some of the warning signs of blocked arteries include:

Stroke - When the plaque accumulates in the carotid arteries, it can result in a stroke.

Fatigue - Reduced oxygen, due to poor blood flow, can cause fatigue and dizziness.

Shortness of breath - The lack of oxygen can cause shortness of breath.

Lower back pain - Decreased blood flow can cause the disks connecting the vertebrae to become weak, thereby causing sudden pain from pinched nerves.

Chest pain - Reduced blood flow to the heart can cause angina or chest pain.

Numb hands and feet - A decline in blood flow can cause numbness in the extremities.

Erectile dysfunction - If the blood flow to the genitals decreases, it can cause erectile dysfunction.

Question 11

Which is more effective in diagnosing coronary heart disease - stress tests or coronary angiogram?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the situation. A coronary angiogram or heart catheterisation is a safe but invasive test, whereas a stress test is non-invasive. A stress test is used more as a screening test. In many cases, a heart cath test is considered the first step to diagnosing coronary heart disease.

Question 12

What are the different treatment options I can look at for coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

There are three different treatment options that you can choose for coronary artery disease, depending on the severity of the symptoms:

Lifestyle changes - You can begin with certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing stress and exercising.

Medications - You can take cholesterol-modifying drugs, aspirin, beta and calcium channel blockers, ranolazine and nitroglycerin, but only under the supervision of a doctor

Procedures - Treatment procedures can involve angioplasty and stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Question 13

Does smoking increase the chances of coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that smoking contributes to numerous heart diseases. In fact, it has been found that smokers witness a two-fold to four-fold increase in coronary artery diseases and a 70% higher death rate as compared to non-smokers. This is because smoking causes atherosclerosis or a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries. This leads to the inner lining of the arteries weakening and becoming filled with fat and plaque deposits, which impedes blood flow. Since enough oxygen-rich blood cannot reach the heart, the chances of a heart attack increase.

Question 14

Can a coronary artery disease be hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Coronary artery disease is one of the many cardiac disorders that can be inherited. Various characteristics of the cardiovascular system, such as the strength of the blood vessels or the coordination between the cells and the heart, are controlled by genes. Sometimes, even the smallest genetic mutation can result in heart disease. Hence, it’s important that if one member of the family develops coronary artery disease, others should get screened too. This can help detect the problem in the early stages. In the case of the family of a person who has died due to coronary artery disease, it’s important to get screened to understand the risks.

Question 15

Are there any dietary changes I need to make to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dietary changes are crucial for prevention. In case you're not sure about what to change in your diet, consult your doctor. In most cases, doctors recommend avoiding saturated fats and cholesterol-rich foods as they can cause plaque buildup. Saturated fats and cholesterol can be found in animal and dairy products, lard, palm and coconut oils. Also, decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol intake while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol intake. In addition, include healthier choices, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish.

Question 16

What is the treatment for coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

There are 3 treatment modalities for coronary artery disease:

Medicines

Coronary angioplasty and stenting

Bypass surgery (CABG)

Which treatment modality will be best for a given individual depends on multiple factors, such as the severity of the condition, anatomy of the coronary arteries, patient’s symptoms and clinical profile, etc.

Question 17

What foods can lead to coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Based on the seriousness of the condition, your doctor might recommend a specialist. The early stages of coronary artery disease can be managed with medication. However, in serious cases, with a completely blocked artery or multiple blocked arteries, the doctor might recommend a specialist to guide further treatment. Foods that increase the risk of heart blockage include:

Foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fat)

Foods containing saturated fat

High-fat dairy products

Refined grains and starches

Processed meats (e.g., bacon, sausage, hot dogs, processed deli meats)

Red meat

Foods with high salt content

Sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and bakery goods.

Question 18

Is diabetes a risk for coronary heart disease?

Accepted Answer

blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels, leading to blocked arteries and coronary heart diseases. Here’s how. Due to diabetes, or due to the reduced production of insulin, your body is unable to use all sugar from the food you eat. This excess blood glucose sticks to the red blood cells and builds up in the blood. Persisting elevated blood sugar levels obstruct the flow of blood in the vessels that carry blood to and from the heart, which means the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart is also restricted.

Question 19

How does alcohol increase the risk of coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

drink for women and one to two drinks for men can be considered healthy. However, it is important to understand that different people respond differently to alcohol intake. For someone battling heart problems, moderate drinking can be enough to cause heart failure. On the other hand, heavy drinking, even by a healthy person, may lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. It can also contribute to enhancing the symptoms of heart blockage. In addition, alcohol contains high calorie levels that can lead to obesity.

Question 20

What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of the coronary arteries, sometimes as early as childhood. The risk factors for coronary artery disease are: 13; Smoking or tobacco 13; High blood pressure 13; Diabetes 13; Abnormal cholesterol (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol) 13; Sedentary lifestyle, stress 13; Ageing 13; Family history of heart disease 13; Unhealthy diet (rich in trans-fat, sodium) 13; Overweight or obesity 13;

Blocked Heart Arteries