Dr. Melanie Grange - Internist

13/07/2022

What is ischemic heart disease❓❓
It's the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease. This can ultimately lead to heart attack.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack most commonly results from
atherosclerosis (fatty buildups) in the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. Plaque buildup narrows the inside of the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. If a plaque in a heart artery ruptures (breaks open), a blood clot forms. The clot further blocks the blood flow. When it completely stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle, a heart attack occurs. Then the section of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Damage increases the longer an artery stays blocked. In some cases, it may even die. Once that muscle dies, the result is permanent heart damage.
The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. The blocked artery should be opened as soon as possible to reduce heart damage.
What are the warning signs❓❓
Atherosclerosis develops over time, it often has no symptoms until there’s enough damage to lessen the blood flow to your heart muscle. You should know the warning signs of heart attack so you
can get help right away, either for yourself or someone close to you.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
How can I reduce my risk for a heart attack❓❓
Even if you have heart disease, there’s a lot
you can do to improve your heart health.
Work with your health care provider to set
goals to reduce your risk.
• Don’t smoke, and avoid second-hand
smoke.
• Treat high blood pressure, if you have it.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt) and added sugars.
• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• See your doctor for regular check-ups.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.

Source: heart.org ( American Heart Association )

12/07/2022

15/06/2022

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What Is COPD?
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that prevents the lungs from getting enough air, making it very hard to breathe. Two of the most common types of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It's most often caused by smoking ci******es or other to***co products, or long-term exposure to lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemicals or dust.
When a person has COPD, less air is able to flow into and out of the lungs because of one or more of the following:
1. The walls of the airways in the lungs, known as bronchial tubes, become inflamed and thickened (known as chronic bronchitis).
2. The walls between many of the tiny air sacs in the lungs are destroyed (known as emphysema).
3. The air sacs and the airways in the lungs are less elastic.
4. The airways in the lungs produce more mucus than normal, which can cause them to become clogged.
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