Coronary heart disease

Author: Hu Da-yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Emphasizes the systematic nature of medicine, focuses on the scientific rigor of knowledge, highlights the accessibility of the content. This book is part of the "Renowned Experts Discussing Medicine and Illness in the Community" series, introducing knowledge on eight aspects of coronary heart disease—classification, diagnostic methods, drug treatment, interventional therapy, surgical treatment, treatment principles, rehabilitation, and prevention—in a Q&A format. It is suitable as a reading material for community doctors and health education in communities, as well as for patients with coronary heart disease and their families. Coronary heart disease is a common, severe clinical condition that can lead to disability or death. In developing countries, including China, 50% of myocardial infarction patients are under the age of 70. Among male patients with coronary heart disease, 60% and female patients, 40%, experience their first clinical symptoms as myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. Half of acute myocardial infarction deaths have no chance of receiving hospital treatment. Therefore, cherishing life and health starts with the heart. Goodbye to cardiovascular diseases, and human life expectancy will increase by 9.78 years. Coronary heart disease is preventable, controllable, and treatable. A 2004 joint study by 51 countries, including China, found that 90% of myocardial infarction cases can be explained by nine factors: abnormal blood lipids, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, abdominal obesity, lack of exercise, insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables in the diet, psychological stress, and moderate alcohol consumption (a protective factor). Therefore, it is essential to change unhealthy lifestyles—quit smoking, eat a balanced diet, exercise more, eat until 80% full, and take 10,000 steps a day. Any preventive or therapeutic medication should be used on this foundation. Chest pain is the main symptom of coronary heart disease. High-risk individuals, such as middle-aged or older men, smokers, the obese, those with diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, or hypertension, should seek medical attention at nearby hospitals with treatment capabilities as soon as they experience chest pain, especially if it persists for 15–20 minutes without relief. Reading this book can help you understand the patterns of coronary heart disease and preventive measures, as well as master the importance of early identification and seizing opportunities for treatment. The book introduces knowledge on eight aspects of coronary heart disease—classification, diagnostic methods, drug treatment, interventional therapy, surgical treatment, treatment principles, rehabilitation, and prevention—in a Q&A format.