Reversing heart disease really means reversing coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are the arteries that supply the heart muscle with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function as a specialized pump. This “pump” will work essentially non-stop for close to 100 years (if we’re lucky). When the coronary arteries get blocked by cholesterol plaque or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), blood flow is restricted to the region and is the eventual culprit that causes heart attacks (myocardial infarction or MI).

There are other diseases of the heart include heart failure (which is often caused by coronary disease), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), and congenital heart disease (heart disease that you are born with); but we will focus on coronary artery disease, the #1 killer in America.

Reversing heart disease can be done by adopting a few lifestyle changes to “unclog” these arteries, hence, reversing heart disease.

How You Can Reverse Heart Disease

By adopting some simple lifestyle HABITS, we can start to reverse heart disease. Contrary to popular belief, YOU will control your health, not your genes or physician, but YOU. Try this daily health log to help you keep track of your daily progress:

1. Make HEALTH, NUTRITION and WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Use this DAILY HEALTH LOG to keep you on track and begin the process of reversing heart disease.

2. No Smoking

This isn’t the generic, “smoking is bad for you and quit” routine. There are a handful of medical conditions that are made worse by smoking and coronary artery disease is at the top of the list. Others include emphysema and ulcers, but coronary disease will only get worse in smokers. You cannot reverse heart disease if you smoke.

3. Make healthy food choices every day!

The easiest way to reverse heart disease is to include the healthiest selections from the five food groups with an emphasis on the getting your five to 10 fruits and veggies and enough fiber each day. Think WHOLE foods. Avoid processed, refined, fast foods. By changing to a cleaner diet, you are one step closer to reversing a heart disease.

Acute Coronary Syndrome is a serious medical emergency. More than half the deaths caused by the acute coronary syndrome occur within 3 to 4 hours after the occurrence of the symptoms. You will have a better chance of survival if you begin the treatment as soon as possible. Prompt medical attention should be obtained by the people having the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome. You can save a person suffering from the acute coronary syndrome by taking him to the emergency department of a hospital in an ambulance with trained personnel.

People having acute coronary syndrome are usually taken to a hospital having the cardiac care unit. To assess the heart damage the doctors will closely monitor the oxygen percentage in blood, blood rhythm, and heart pressure. Nurses in these cardiac care units are trained to take care of the heart patients and to handle the heart emergencies.

You should take an aspirin tablet if you have the symptoms of the acute coronary syndrome. Call for an ambulance immediately after taking the tablet. Most people having the acute coronary syndrome are given anticoagulant drugs like heparin for preventing the formation of any additional blood clots. The heart tissue damage caused by the acute coronary syndrome can be minimized by providing oxygen through a face mask or nasal prongs.

The method and the timing of opening the coronary artery will be decided based on the condition of the patient when coming to the hospital and the type of acute coronary syndrome. There are basically three types of acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI. The acute coronary syndrome complications may depend on:

• Where the coronary artery block is present?
• How much blockage is there?
• How long it has been blocked?

More than 90% of the people having heart attacks will have abnormal heart rhythms. In some cases, the heart rate will be very slow because of the problem in the triggering of heartbeat. When there are other problems the heartbeat will be rapid or irregular. The most important part of the acute coronary syndrome recovery is the cardiac rehabilitation process. This cardiac rehabilitation begins in the hospital itself and the patient will become normal within 6 weeks.

Symptoms and Causes of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome is caused by the sudden blockage in coronary artery. Depending on the amount of blockage and its location, this acute coronary syndrome causes heart attack or unstable angina.

Coronary artery bypass graft guidelines are discussed in brief in this article that will help the medical professionals in recognizing the problem and perform surgery according to the condition of the patient.

Coronary artery bypass graft or CABG is an open heart surgery that is done to improve the flow of blood to the heart and is performed on the patients who are suffering with severe CHD or coronary heart disease. This disease is caused due to the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries which are used to supply oxygenated blood to the heart. This plaque reduces the flow of blood to the heart after being hardened with the passage of time which can in turn cause angina pain or discomfort in the chest. Sometimes these arteries with plaque rupture to form clot on its surface which completely blocks the flow of blood to the heart and can cause heart attack.

CABG surgery is done to treat coronary heart disease. During the surgery the blocked arteries are replaced with healthy arteries or veins from patient’s body through grafting method to create a new path for the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart. Multiple arteries can be bypassed through grafting method during one surgery only.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Guidelines to perform surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting guidelines guide the surgeons known as cardiothoracic surgeons to perform the most common form of open heart surgery popularly known as CABG. Though, CABG is used to treat CHD or coronary heart disease but CHD can also be treated though angioplasty, by changing lifestyle and through medicines if the condition of the patient allows.

Angioplasty is used to open the narrowing or partially blocked arteries through non-surgical process by placing a stent made of small mesh into the narrowed artery to support its inner walls and keep it open.

It is a surgical procedure that is done to correct the flow of blood in the heart. Sometimes major blood carrying arteries get blocked due to various reasons such as high cholesterol, accumulation of fats and narrowed arteries. In coronary artery bypass graft surgery surgeons attempt to divert the flow of oxygenated blood from blocked arteries and they give an alternate route to the oxygenated blood to reach the heart. This route is known as the bypass route. This surgery mainly performed on the patients of heart attack as these patients easily injure their heart muscles and arteries due to which major arteries get blocked.

Every year more than 28,000 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries are performed is U.K. alone. Also, 80% of patients who undergo this surgery are more than 65 years old.

Coronary artery bypass graft definition

Coronary artery bypass graft definition should not be confused with heart attacks. Heart attacks are caused by blockage of arteries and low supply of oxygenated blood to the heart. When a heart attack occurs then doctors perform coronary artery bypass surgery so as heart gets uninterrupted flow of oxygenated blood. Like all other organs heart need an uninterrupted flow of oxygenated blood. This can be interrupted due to accumulation of fats and cholesterol in arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the heart. When oxygenated blood supply reduces or stops in then a person can experience heart attacks. People with blocked arteries are said to have coronary heart diseases.

Angioplasty is known as a surgical procedure that is meant to wide open people’s blocked arteries. The result should be improved oxygen and blood flow to the patient’s heart. Throughout the procedure, the physician may often use a stent and insert it into your clogged artery in order to help it widen and stay open for longer periods of time. Based on the type of blockage, the doctor will be the one to decide if you need conventional angioplasty or stent angioplasty.

Starting the procedure

When the procedure will begin, the doctor will choose an artery and implant a catheter. Most of the times, he will opt for an artery in the groin area. Often times, the catheter can also be inserted in the elbow’s bend area. After the area is carefully selected, it will be scrubbed, disinfected, and probably shaved. Using some type of numbing medication, your doctor will numb the area getting ready for the procedure.

An introducer will be inserted as soon as the area is anesthetized. A hollow, plastic tube will be placed in the artery. The patient may possibly feel discomfort or some slight pressure when the introducer is being guided in the artery. Afterwards, the catheter will advance until it will go through the aorta and reach the coronary arteries. Each movement of the catheter will be viewed through an x-ray scan screen. The good news is that the patient won’t feel when the catheter will move through the blood vessels. However, it’s pretty normal to have a feeling of skipped heartbeats when the cath moves to the heart.

After a coronary angioplasty procedure, patients can start a whole new life. They will be able to do things they couldn’t do before, but they will have to be very careful and stick to a strict diet and lifestyle. To begin with, after the procedure is over, the individual is moved to a care unit and he’ll be kept there until the following morning or for a couple of hours. The patient is going to lie down for up to 6 hours so that the blood vessels in the groin or arm can seal. Throughout the recovery, a nurse is going to check the temperature, oxygen level, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The next morning or in the evening, people are allowed to go home. Still, no one leaves the hospital without various instructions given by the doctor. Thus, the medical practitioner will establish how much exercise or activity a person can do. He will also tell him / her when will the next visit be and what are the medications he / she must take. In case there are any complications after going home (bleeding, pain, infection, fever, shortness of breath) the individuals should call the doctor immediately. Also, they must call 911 if they experience chest pain. Last but not least, people must check daily for various signs of infection (drainage, swelling, redness) at the insertion site. At the same time, during the recovery time, patients will have to take medicines against the formation of blood clots. The recovery period is quite strict, but it is very important for the general health of the heart. This is the first step for a new life.

Acute coronary syndrome is caused by the sudden blockage in coronary artery. Depending on the amount of blockage and its location, this acute coronary syndrome causes heart attack or unstable angina. People experiencing the acute coronary syndrome will have fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pressure. If you think you have acute coronary syndrome, you should take an aspirin tablet after calling for the emergency help. Doctors will use ECG to determine whether you have acute coronary syndrome or not.

Treatments vary according to the type of acute

Many people confuse this acute coronary syndrome with heart attack. The symptoms of acute coronary syndrome are similar to the heart attack. Many acute coronary syndrome patients will get treated like heart attack patients.

You have to make regular visits to the doctor, if you want to prevent the acute coronary syndrome from occurring. The doctor visits are necessary if you have a family history of this condition, because the chances of occurrence are high when there is a family history. People over the age of fifty have increased risk of having the acute coronary syndrome.

Vasculitis is an inflammation that occurs in the blood vessels, which may cause the arteries, veins, and capillaries to be blocked and narrowed. It disrupts the normal blood flow, which may lead to more serious medical problems.

Types and Causes

The cause for vasculitis is often unknown but it is important that a medical professional is able to single out the severity of the problem, the type of vasculitis involved, and the general health of the patient. This is what will guide the line of treatment that may be needed.

There are different types of vasculitis. There are large vessel, medium vessel, and small vessel vasculitis. Each is classified with different other diseases including Cogan’s Syndrome, Kawasaki Disease, Buerger’s Disease, and Takayasu’s Arteritis. Some vasculitis types are self-limiting and may improve on their own, without the need for medication. But there are some that require medications, especially to help relieve the inflammation.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of vasculitis may vary widely. But the most common signs vasculitis brain are fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, loss of appetite, and nerve weakness. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms differ according to the kind of vasculitis present and which organ system is actually affected.

Ischemic heart disease is a condition where the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced due to coronary artery disease. It is more common in men than in women and often occurs with advancing age. In the West and in most industrialized countries, ischemic heart disease is the common cause of death as well as the common cause for hospital admissions. That full definition ischemic heart disease is.

Types and Causes

Ischemic heart disease is basically a condition where the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart become narrowed. As such, not much blood and oxygen get through, causing the heart muscle not to work as well. The common cause of IHD is the buildup of plaque or coronary heart disease, which may lead up to heart failure and heart attack.

Signs and Symptoms

The common symptom of ischemic heart disease is chest pain or angina. At times, patients do not notice any other symptoms but the signs usually develop over time.

Patients with IHD may rule out fatigue, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or palpitations, shortness of breath, and swelling of the lower extremities in association with the condition. Other ischemic heart disease symptoms are enlarged liver, extra heart sounds, crackles, and other signs of heart failure may also be associated as symptoms of ischemic heart disease.

Blood clots serve as the body's response against injuries or cuts. They help stop potentially dangerous bleeding after critical accidents. However, they can also be dangerous to you, especially when they develop in locations such as your brain or lungs. A detrimental blood clot may require medical attention.

Types and Causes

There are two types of blood clots: venous and arterial. There are also many factors and conditions that can affect the formation of blood clots, and they include thrombophlebitis, thrombocytosis, stroke, surgery, pulmonary embolism, prolonged sitting or bed rest, and the like.

Medications, such as oral contraceptives, tamoxifen, and hormone therapy drugs can also cause blood clots as a side effect. What's more, other blood clots causes include heart attack, heart failure, heart arrhythmias (include atrial fibrillation), pregnancy, and a family history of blood clots can also increase your risk for this condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Blood clots are dangerous, because they can cause a stroke if they happen within your carotid arteries. The signs of blood clots and symptoms depend on the type of clot. Venous clots can result in a damming effect because they don't allow blood to return to the heart. Symptoms for a venous clot include pain, redness, warmth, and swelling of the clotted area.

Meanwhile, arterial clots don't allow blood to get to an affected area. Blood clots symptoms for arterial clots include pain, paleness of the affected body part, loss of sensation, and paralysis. It can also depend on where the clot is located (e.g., near the lungs will cause pulmonary problems, near the heart could cause heart attacks).

Studies have shown that diabetes is one of the main causes of heart problems; diabetes alone is a critical medical problem that affects almost 200 million people worldwide. Studies have shown that this number will increase by 250 million over the next 10 years. So does have shown that diabetes, obesity and hypertension are leading causes of heart for it.

The majority of patients being treated for heart problems in European hospitals were shown to have diabetes also. Though the research has been done in the United States. This is also a problem here. Researchers have not figured out why the two seem to go hand in hand. However, diabetes, heart disease is found in patients time and time again. The majority of people suffering from a heart condition are diabetic.

Your heart is one of the toughest muscles in the human body, and it is divided into two paths. The upper half holds two chambers and the lower half also holds two chambers. The extreme reverse back to flee the atrium and ventricle chambers. The top chamber or atriums job is to gather blood from outside of the heart and push it into the lower or ventricular chambers of these lower chambers, distribute blood into the lungs and the rest of the body.

There are many ways, for one of your heart valve to become damaged. The valves of your heart may be damaged due to injury, a birth defect or possibly disease. The valve within your heart are designed to allow blood to flow in only one direction, but is damaged. The valves will not operate as designed, there are two main types of heart valve disease one where the vowels do not close all the way and allow blood to flow in two directions instead of one and the other where the valves are stiff and do not open as they should allow blood to flow into the heart chamber.

If you do have a damaged heart valve and the damage is severe enough. You may suffer a heart attack, and if you do not have this condition checked. There is also a possibility that you might die as a result of the damaged heart valve.