Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the blood supply to the heart is reduced or obstructed. This leads to insufficient oxygen and nutrient delivery, resulting in heart muscle damage or dysfunction.

The condition is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the arterial walls.

Over time, these plaques can harden and narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow.

Sometimes, a plaque may rupture, triggering the formation of a clot that further obstructs the coronary artery, potentially leading to angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.

Risk factors for ischemic heart disease include age, gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and stress.

The disease can be managed by lifestyle changes and medications such as aspirin, ACE inhibitors, organic nitrates, and β-blockers.

In more severe cases, invasive procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery may be needed to restore adequate blood flow to the heart.