Heart Disease
Coronary artery disease (blockages in the arteries that supply the heart with blood) is caused by the buildup of plaque. Plaques are a mix of cholesterol, fats, fibrous tissue and white blood cells that are deposited in the walls of the arteries over time. The plaque build-up can vary in consistency. Some are more prone to "rupture" than others are. What does that mean? It means depending on whether the plaque is stable or vulnerable determines who is going to have a heart attack and who isn't.
The stable plaque is made up of a fibrous tissue with a tough covering or fibrous cap. This contains little cholesterol deposits; other fats, and grows slowly. The vulnerable or unstable plaques are made up of fats, white blood cells and have a thin fibrous cap. They are weakened by other cells, as well as are affected by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. They are more prone to rupture without warning.
Cardiologists (heart doctors) work with your primary care physician to recognize your risks for developing heart disease, and treat your symptoms. The cardiologist may check your blood work, perform an EKG (heart tracing), take pictures of your heart by echocardiograms (look at the function of your heart and the valves) and perform stress tests. They also perform cardiac catheterization to actually view the arteries that supply your heart with blood. Sometimes the cardiologist can utilize devices to destroy or "push" the plaque away. You may have heard them referred to as angioplasty (balloon procedures), stents, PTCRA ("rota-rooter"), DCA ("scraping procedure"), and others. Bypass surgery places grafts that go around the blockages. There is no "Liquid Plumber"; there is no "cure" for heart disease. These procedures and the use of medications can help you live with the blockages
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