Modifiable Risk Factors of CAD

Certain major risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD) can be modifiable. These kinds of risk factors are more important than non-modifiable risk factors because, they induce atherosclerosis in genetically susceptible individuals and are possibly preventable.

Prevention of CAD is linked with the alteration of modifiable risk factors. Primary prevention can be explained as the prevention of atherosclerosis, which is the main cause for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), ischaemic stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Secondary prevention can be defined as the treatment of the atherosclerotic disease or its complications. The goal of prevention is to minimise the prevalence of first or repeated clinical events due to CAD, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors of CAD

Some risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD) cannot be changed. Therefore, they are known as non-modifiable risk factors.

Non-modifiable risk factors are,

• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Family history

Introduction: Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis causes coronary artery disease (CAD), which is multifactorial in origin. Usually, genetic predisposition itself won’t cause the disease. Some living habits promote the atherogenic process in genetically vulnerable individuals. A number of risk factors are recognised to predispose to atherosclerosis. Some of them, like age, gender, family history, and race, can’t be changed. They are known as non-modifiable risk factors for CAD. Some other main risk factors, like smoking, blood cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, can be modified. Therefore, they are referred to as modifiable risk factors.

Complications of Atherosclerosis

An atheroma (atheromatous plaque) grows slowly and narrows the lumen of an artery. Therefore, it reduces the blood flow in the affected artery gradually. A 50 % reduction in diameter of the lumen causes a 70 % reduction in the cross-sectional area. It leads to a significant obstruction in the particular artery. Clinical presentations of its complications can vary according to the site of atherosclerosis.

Process of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis

A blood vessel (artery or vein) wall has three layers.

• Tunica intima (inner layer)
• Tunica media (middle layer)
• Tunica adventitia (outer layer)

Tunica intima contains a single layer of cells known as endothelium, which forms the lining of the blood vessel. Tunica media mainly consists of smooth muscles, which regulate the calibre of the blood vessels. Tunica adventitia basically has connective tissues. Atherosclerosis is a formation of fatty deposits in the arterial wall. A fatty deposit is known as an atheroma or an atheromatous plaque.

What Is Ischaemic Heart Disease?

Ischaemic heart disease occurs due to an imbalance between the blood supply and the myocardial demand for blood. Myocardium gets oxygen and essential nutrients from the blood via two coronary arteries and their branches. If coronary blood flow to a part of the myocardium is reduced, ischaemic heart disease occurs. This can be due to a mechanical obstruction or a decrease in the flow of oxygenated blood to the myocardium.

Panic Disorder: Information for Carers and Patient’s Questions

If you are a family member or carer of a person with panic disorder, the health-care team should provide you information regarding the condition and its management. The information should include advantages, disadvantages, and adverse effects of medication for panic disorder. You could ask them what can you do to help the person with panic disorder.

How Does Stress Kill People?

All of us have a certain level of stress in our life because, it is necessary to carry out our daily routines. However, long-term stress can be a silent killer. During a stressful situation, the adrenal gland of our body secretes cortisol hormone, which is one of the stress hormones. This process raises the blood cortisol level.