Prevention And Treatment For Heart Blockages: Causes And Symptoms

Heart blockage disease or Coronary Artery Disease, has emerged as a big killer, affecting a large section of the population. Heart disease occurs as a result of a buildup of plaque within the arteries, which tends to occlude or cut off the flow of blood, and increases the risk for angina, ischemia, heart attack and stroke.

There is a tendency for cholesterol-laden plaque to deposit within the walls of the blood vessel. With age, the plaque builds up, inflames the blood vessel wall and increases the chances of blood clots and ischemia. Other substances, like, inflammatory cells, calcium, lipoproteins, etc., adhere to the inside of the blood vessel wall.

Sooner or later, the coronary artery becomes narrow and there develop new blood vessels that go around the blockage to reach the heart. On the other hand, during stress and exertion, the new arteries will not be able to supply adequate a, mounts of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Occasionally, a blood clot occludes the blood supply altogether, thus, causing a heart attack.

Causes And Symptoms Of Blockage In The Heart

Heart Blockage Causes

  • Myocarditis: inflammation of the heart muscle occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. The cardiac muscles get inflamed; and blockages in the heart can develop.
  • Artery Disease: occlusion of the coronary arteries with plaque or cholesterol causes severe blockages.
  • Cardiomyopathy: inflammation of the heart develops because of an infection of the cardiac muscles, artery disease, or valvular disorder.
  • Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: thickening of one or more valves of the heart and can cause a severe blockage.

Symptoms Of Heart Blockage

Common manifestations of a heart blockage are:

  • Angina or chest pain: there will be heaviness, aching, burning, numbness, squeezing or a distressing sensation in the chest region. The pain may radiate to the back, left shoulder, arms, or the jaw.
  • Difficulty in breathing.
  • Palpitations.
  • Fatigue.
  • Giddiness.
  • Nausea.
  • Excessive sweating.

Treatment And Prevention Of Artery Blockage In Heart

  • The most important aspect of the treatment regimen is to reduce your risk factors. Avoid high cholesterol foods and fatty foods. Watching your diet is very crucial; it not only helps ward off a heart attack, but will also help lower cholesterol levels significantly.
  • Limit your intake of salt.
  • Let fresh fruits and vegetables be the mainstay of your diet.
  • Certain foods are called ‘heart foods’; incorporate these in to the daily menu – garlic, onions, flax seeds, olives and celery.
  • Maintain an ideal body weight; exercise at least thrice a week.
  • Quit smoking and alcohol.
  • Medications may be required to help your heart work better and receive more oxygen-rich blood. The drugs you are on depend upon you and your specific heart problem.
  • Surgery: your doctor may recommend balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and coronary artery bypass surgery. These surgical interventions perk up blood supply to your heart.
  • Angiogenesis: is a medical procedure that triggers the formation of new blood vessels to bypass the occluded and blocked ones.