[toc]Ischaemic heart disease is a condition that is characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart. This results in less supply of oxygen to the heart, which is needed by the heart tissue to remain healthy and work efficiently. Also known as coronary heart disease, it can lead to heart attack when an area of the heart tissue gets suddenly deprived of the blood supply.
The coronary arteries, that are normally smooth and elastic, turn narrow and constricted due to plaque buildup, resulting in less supply of blood to the heart and ischaemic heart disease. Arterial walls, that are rough due to plaque deposits, are more susceptible to blood clot formation which can also cause a heart attack. Some of the commonly observed symptoms of ischaemic heart disease are angina pectoris, acute chest pain, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the extremities and heart failure. Ischaemic heart disease can be prevented by making major lifestyle changes. Given here are some of the main causes of ischaemic heart disease.
Main causes of ischaemic heart disease
Diet, Obesity And Physical Inactivity
These three are the major causes of ischaemic heart disease all over the world. A diet that is high in trans fats and saturated fats can lead to excess fat deposits in the arteries, leading to ischaemic heart disease ultimately.
Too much of sodium intake can raise your blood pressure and lead to ischaemic heart disease. If you are physically inactive, you are likely to develop many health conditions, including ischaemic heart disease. Obesity can result in diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. It can also cause ischaemic heart disease.
Smoking And Tobacco Use
One of the main and leading causes of ischaemic heart disease is smoking. It may result in a condition called atherosclerosis in which plaque buildup on the arterial walls restricts blood flow to the heart. Smoking can also cause high blood pressure and oxygen flow restriction, that may result in ischaemic heart disease. Tobacco use also increases the risk of getting ischaemic heart disease.
Alcohol Consumption
Another leading cause of ischaemic heart disease is the excessive consumption of alcohol. Apart from causing serious health conditions like cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol can lead to ischaemic heart disease as it increases the plaque buildup in the arteries and raises blood pressure. This increases the risk of getting ischaemic heart disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition in which your body does not produce sufficient insulin which is needed by your body to break down sugar. This results in excess sugar in the blood and increases your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, including ischaemic heart disease. It is very important for diabetes patients to keep their insulin levels in check in order to prevent ischaemic heart disease.
High Blood Pressure And High Cholesterol
High blood pressure can cause strain in the blood vessels, and result in ischaemic heart disease. Your liver produces cholesterol naturally and you also get it from foods. If there is excess cholesterol production in your body, or if you are eating too much of fatty foods, excess cholesterol can get deposited in the arteries and lead to ischaemic heart disease.
Heredity
Heredity also plays a major role in the development of ischaemic heart disease. If you have a family history of ischaemic heart disease, it can cause you to get this condition as well. So, it’s best to go for regular health checkups and take preventive measures in order to avoid developing this life-threatening condition.
