Essay Sample on Coronary Artery Disease

The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, comprises blood vessels that transport blood into and away from the heart. The circulatory system has hormones, nutrients, and oxygen to the organism; it also takes away waste products such as carbon dioxide. Several diseases affect the cardiovascular system, taking an example of coronary artery disease.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Coronary artery disease can also be called coronary heart disease; this is a state where plaque builds-up in the coronary arteries. The arteries provide blood rich in oxygen to one's heart muscle. Plaque mainly contains cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other materials located in the blood (Thompson, 2003). Atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, and this occurs over several years.

Research shows that when particular things damage the coronary arteries' inner layers, it marks the beginning of coronary heart disease. Such factors include the rise of blood pressure, smoking, blood sugar level may rise, and high cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. As damage begins and your body starts the healing process, arteries may be damaged as plaque builds up due to the healing process.

Building up of the plaque may begin at childhood in the coronary artery, and as time goes by, it blocks some of the coronary arteries. They, therefore, lowers the continuity of blood rich in oxygen to the heart muscle. In the end, the area of plaque can break open. If this happens, platelets get attached to the injury and may cluster together hence forming blood clots. Blood clotting worsens angina and narrows the coronary arteries more.

It also can lead to a heart attack. Angina in coronary heart disease is a commonly known symptom (Kronmal, 1994). Coronary heart disease leads to a lot of deaths in the United States among people. Every year, due to coronary heart disease, close to half a million Americans die. Specific habits may increase one's hazard for CHD.

The more the hazard factors one has, the more the disease is likely to develop. Although they are safe ways, one can live a healthy lifestyle. Eating the right diet is right and is expected to protect one's cardiovascular system (Kronmal, 1994). Reducing the amount of sugar, salt, and processed food one consumes and focuses more on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and many more.

Smoking is the most significant hazard factors for cardiovascular disease. It destroys the arteries' learning, and fatty materials can build up, and blood vessels become blocked. Decreasing the amount of smoke one inhales could be of great importance to the heart.

Some people often become nervous about getting back to exercise after being diagnosed with heart disease Assessment tools (Steptoe, 1981). But in reality, keeping an active life will be of more benefit to your heart and, most likely, one's well-being generally. It will help if the patient talks to the doctor before going in for any exercise. According to the patient's body, the doctor is likely to advise which kind of activity is best.

Going for a holiday can be the perfect way to recover, but many people with coronary heart disease often worry too much about going on an adventure far from home. The patient must check on a doctor to ensure the heart is in a stable condition and safe to travel.

It can be challenging to cope up with a healthy lifestyle when facing heart disease problems. Isolation can lead to depression and hence low medication. But adhering to the doctor's instructions fully will be the perfect way for one to live healthy even with the disease.

References

Bryan, R. N., Manolio, T. A., Schertz, L. D., Jungreis, C., Poirier, V. C., Elster, A. D., & Kronmal, R. A. (1994). A method for using MR to evaluate the effects of cardiovascular disease on the brain: the cardiovascular health study. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 15(9), 1625-1633.

Steptoe, A. (1981). Psychological factors in cardiovascular disorders (pp. 172-188). London: Academic Press.

Thompson, D. R., & Yu, C. M. (2003). Quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease-I: Assessment tools. Health and quality of life outcomes, 1(1), 42.