Coronary Heart Disease Flashcards
What does standard intervention for CHD include? (4)
Standard intervention for CHD includes: smoking cessation, reducing modifiable risk factors, controlling blood pressure to agreed targets and use of medication (especially statins for both primary and secondary prevention.
What is the aetiology of CHD?
Athersclerosis of the coronary arteries is responsible for CHD.
The innermost layer of the artery (endothelium) becomes damaged. Over time fats, cholesterol, platelets, cellular debris and calcium are deposited in the artery wall.
Collagen is synthesised and makes a fibrous cap around the damaged tissue and tis is known as a plaque. This narrows the coronary artery and the reduced supply of oxygen to the heart muscle causes coronary ischaemia.
This can present as angina, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or sudden death.
What smoking cessation advice should be given to prevent CHD?
Stopping smoking has been shown in several large cohort studies to decrease CHD risk. The risk of coronary events declines in 2-3 years to that of people who have never smoked.
The risk of stroke declines more slowly.
Brisk walking for how long per day reduces the relative risk of CHD by about 20%?
Brisk walking for half an hour (or more)
