Cholesterol

1. What is Coronary Artery:

Vessels surround the heart: supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles.

2. Causes

Accumulation of cholesterol inside coronary artery causing narrowing or blockage.

Normal inner vessel wall

CHD inner vessel wall

3. Symptoms
	Sudden death without any warning
	Chest pain, crushing, lasting more than several minutes
	Pain radiating to the neck, shoulder, arm and jaw
	Dizziness, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitation
	Usually occur during activities and exercise

* Please consult your doctor if you suffer from of the above symptoms.

4. Risk Factors and Prevention:

I. Avoidable risk factors and prevention:

II. Unavoidable risk factors:

Age:

Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease rises with age

Sex :

More in male, but both sexes share an equal chance after 60 years old

Family History:

The chance of disease increases with family members suffering from Coronary Heart Disease

5. Therapy

I. Drug therapy

5 main group of drugs

i. Aspirin

ii. Nitrates

iii. ß-BLOCKER

iv. Calcium Channel Blocker

v. Cholesterol Lowering Agent

II. Interventional treatment

i. Coronary Angioplasty

Aims

:

Relieve occlusions in the coronary arteries through intravascular catheters, and restore adequate oxygen and nutrients supply.

Success rate

:

90-95%

a.	Balloon angioplasty : Inflate a balloon to dilate the narrowing, and hence enlarging the vessel lumen.
b.	Stent implantation: Expand a coil to support the vessel wall, reducing the relapse.
c.	Atherectomy : Use a cup-shaped cutter to cut out the clog, drawing them out of the body.
d.	Rotational Atherectomy: Use a high speed rotational cutter to clear the clog.
e.	Laser Angioplasty : Use a laser catheter to evaporate the clog.

ii. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Commonly known as "CABBAGE". Open heart surgery using leg veins to bypass the obstruction and restore the blood supply to the heart.