WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY AND WHAT DOES CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE MEAN?
Coronary arteries are blood vessels with an average diameter of 2-3 mm, which are located around the heart and provide nutrition to the heart. After the blood is pumped from the heart to the body, it is directed towards these vessels, which we call the coronary arteries, and provides blood supply and nutrition to the heart. Coronary artery disease, on the other hand, refers to heart disease that results in deterioration in the nutrition of the heart as a result of narrowing or
blockages in these vessels.
WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY AND IMPORTANCE OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?
Cardiovascular occlusions, which we call coronary artery disease, are seen in an average of every 20 people over the age of 18. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. One out of every four deaths worldwide is due to cardiovascular diseases, which is higher than all cancer-related deaths.
WHO ARE PERSONS AT RISK FOR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?
In addition to non-modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease such as advanced age, male gender and family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes (diabetes), hypertension, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), smoking, sedentary life, being overweight ( There are controllable and partially correctable risks such as obesity), alcohol consumption and stress. People with these factors also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
HOW DOES CORONARY ARTERY OCCLUSION OCCUR?
Coronary artery disease occurs as a result of narrowing of the coronary vessels over time. Cholesterol accumulation in the coronary vessels is the main cause of this narrowing, and as a result of increasing stenosis, it causes the deterioration of the heart's nutrition and the emergence of complaints. These strictures may develop slowly over a long period of time, or they may be in the form of less frequent stenoses that suddenly become completely blocked and turn into a crisis.
CAN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
Prevention is as important as the importance of treatment in coronary artery disease. It is necessary to identify some correctable or controllable risks in terms of coronary artery disease and to treat or eliminate these risks. In addition to giving appropriate treatment of diseases such as diabetes (diabetes), hypertension, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and diet regulation, eliminating factors such as smoking, sedentary life, being overweight (obesity), alcohol consumption and stress and appropriate Lifestyle changes are extremely important for the prevention of coronary artery disease.
CAN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
Prevention is as important as the importance of treatment in coronary artery disease. It is necessary to identify some correctable or controllable risks in terms of coronary artery disease and to treat or eliminate these risks. In addition to giving appropriate treatment of diseases such as diabetes (diabetes), hypertension, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and diet regulation, eliminating factors such as smoking, sedentary life, being overweight (obesity), alcohol consumption and stress and appropriate Lifestyle changes are extremely important for the prevention of coronary artery disease.
Assoc. Dr. Serkan KAHRAMAN
Cardiology Specialist