What is Ischemic Heart Disease?

Ischemic heart disease is another name for the reduced blood flow to the heart. A major risk factor for Ischemic heart disease is attributed to arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Heart disease is the leading cause of death of in the United States caused by the accumulation of plaque adhering to arterial walls. Depending on the extent of the disease process, this can result in arteriosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis, or plaque build up, is common factor in Ischemic heart disease. Plaque, a result of high cholesterol and triglycerides levels, builds up in the vessels that feed the heart causing blockage to occur. This impedes blood flow to the heart and culminates in a heart attack.

Over time, the build up if these plaque deposits narrow the arteries to the extent that blood flow to the heart is inefficient, which can also lead to the develpment of angina. Angina Pectoris, or strangling, is chest pain caused by lack of oxygen to the heart due to poor blood supply.

Signs and Symptoms of Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic heart disease symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and an abnormal heart beat or arrhythmia. Cracks in the built up plaque deposits enable blood clots to form and grow that will totally occlude the artery, causing a heart attack to occur. Usually, there are no symptoms until the onset of chest pain.

In an attempt to cope with the build up of plaque, the arteries can expand to allow the blood flow to continue uninterrupted. If there is not enough natural elasticity in the arterial walls, the artery can rupture, causing death or massive hemorrhage.

Risk Factors: Family history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis. Also includes:

• Smoking


• Poor nutrition, especially too much fat in the diet.


• Previous heart attack or stroke.


• Overweight


• Hypertension


• Elevated cholesterol and/or low level of HDL (high-density lipoprotein).


• Type A personality - Type A individuals are often described as "stress junkies."

Diagnosis & Treatment: Diagnosis of ischemic heart disease is based on a characteristic complaint of chest discomfort or chest pain brought on by exertion and relieved by rest. Confirmation may be obtained by observing reversible ischemic changes on ECG during an attack or by giving a test dose of sublingual nitroglycerin that characteristically relieves the pain in 1 to 3 minutes.Diagnostic tests help determine the severity of ischemia and the presence and extent of the coronary artery disease.

Testing may include:

• electrocardiogram (measures electrical activity of the heart)


• echocardiogram (measures sound waves)


• exercise-tolerance test


• thallium stress test


• blood studies to measure total fat, cholesterol and lipoproteins


• X-rays of the chest


• coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterization)

Be Mindful of Fat Intake

The good news about ischemic heart disease is it can be prevented, or at least, lessen it's severity. The answer is simple but may not be easy to implement. Old habits die hard.

Lifestyle changes such as watching your weight, stop smoking, reduce fat intake, regular exercise and proper rest can help to reduce your risk for ischemic heart disease.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT