The heart is a muscle about the size of a fist, and its purpose is to pump blood around the body (blood circulation) beating approximately 70 times a minute. Blood leaves the right side of the heart, travels to the lungs where it picks up oxygen and returns to the heart and is then pumped to the body’s organs through a network of arteries. The blood returns to the heart through veins before being pumped back to the lungs repeating the cycle. Coronary Heart Disease CHD sometimes called ischaemic heart disease (IHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD)or simply heart disease is a very common condition affecting around 2.3 million people in the UK and is a major cause of death in the UK and worldwide. The condition is the result of blood flow to the heart being blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances (atheroma) in the coronary arteries, this process is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can be caused by lifestyle factors, high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes. According to NHS there are four stages of CHD: 1. No symptoms during normal physical activity. 2. Comfortable at rest, but normal physical activity triggers symptoms. 3. Comfortable at rest, but minor physical activity triggers symptoms. 4. Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort and may have symptoms even when resting. Whilst the main symptoms of CHD are chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in neck, shoulder, jaw, arms, feeling faint or nauseous, research shows symptoms vary between male and females with females experiencing chest discomfort as pressure, tightness, squeezing, or a dull ache rather than sharp pain. Discomfort can radiate from the chest into the jaw, neck, throat, upper abdomen, or back, with symptoms easily mistaken for indigestion, heartburn, or nausea and vomiting. Experiencing feeling overwhelmingly tired and lacking energy even while resting and often with sleep disturbances. Shortness of breath, often occurring without significant physical exertion or even while lying down. Dizziness, light-headedness, breaking out in a cold sweat, or sudden palpitations. Studies show that in post-menopausal females and females over 50 the risk of developing CHD increases to 46% due to increasing levels of LDL (bad)cholesterol and decreasing levels of HDL (good)cholesterol. CHD cannot be cured but treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of further issues such as heart attacks. Treatment can include: lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and stopping smoking, medication, interventions (angioplasty – where balloons and stents are used to treat narrow heart arteries) and surgery. If you are experiencing symptoms or have any concerns, please contact your GP NHS Medical and Clinical professionals will carry out necessary tests and treatments guided by symptom severity and the stage of the condition. If you experience chest pain or signs of a heart attack, seek emergency help.
To follow : Part 2 will explore the benefits of a Holistic Approach to CHD symptom management, including how diet and lifestyle changes can create a positive difference and what/how to use self-help techniques such as mindfulness meditation and EFT Tapping and appropriate exercise regimes safely to increase Quality of Life.
Acceptance of any diagnosis can be challenging, if you feel you need support to adjust to a recent diagnosis or to improve your health and wellbeing and need some help and guidance to make changes whether you have been diagnosed with CHD or not, please get in touch or more information can be found on the Articles page on my website, always happy to try and help !