Ischemic Heart Disease

What is Ischemic Heart Disease?
Blood flow to the heart is reduced
. Factors reducing coronary blood flow include:
1. Decreased aortic diastolic pressure
2. Increased intraventricular pressure and myocardial contraction
3. Coronary artery stenosis, which can be further subdivided into the following etiologies:
o Fixed coronary stenosis
o Acute plaque change (rupture, hemorrhage)
o Coronary artery thrombosis
o Vasoconstriction
4. Aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation
5. Increased right atrial pressure
Blood flow to the heart can be further decreased by superimposed events such as vasospasm, thrombosis or circulatory changes leading to hypoperfusion. Coronary artery perfusion depends upon the pressure differential between the ostia (aortic diastolic pressure) and coronary sinus (right atrial pressure). Coronary blood flow is reduced during systole because of Venturi effects at the coronary orifices and compression of intramuscular arteries during ventricular contraction
Extra cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis & cardiac disease. Total cholesterol should be < 225. atherosclerosis causes narrowing of blood vessel walls. Tummy fat in men & excess hip, thigh fat in women not only affects cosmetic appearance but increases risk of heart disease too.
Dietary precautions & lifestyle changes to get protection against heart disease
. Avoid excess salt. Foods like papad, pickle contain excess salt.
. Avoid excess red meat, eggs, chicken, dairy products
. Red wine in moderate amounts gives protection against heart disease
Remember that heart disease affects one's sex life badly as it affects stamina & erectile function. Heart disease indicates dysfunction at the level of blood vessels which occurs at penis blood vessels leading to poor blood supply to penis