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Coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease is a heart condition that can cause problems to your health and can even be fatal. Coronary artery disease arises when the arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the heart start narrowing. The leading causes of coronary artery disease are age, cholesterol, diabetes, hereditary factors, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and stress.

Effects of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease may manifest in the form of any of the following conditions. Here are some of the problems associated with coronary artery disease.

• Chronic stable angina: This chest pain occurs when exercising or when you are under severe stress.
• Unstable angina: When your heart does not receive sufficient oxygen and blood this condition arises. It could lead to a heart attack.
• Vasospastic angina: Chest pains or discomfort caused by the spasm of coronary arteries.
• Mixed angina
• Acute myocardial infarction: The interruption of blood supply to the heart that leads to a heart attack.
• Silent ischemia: Oxygen flow to the heart is restricted, but in this condition, there is no pain.

The effects of coronary artery disease could be any of the following arrhythmia, chest pains, heart attack, or heart failure, depending on the severity of the condition.

• Arrhythmias are caused when heart tissue is damaged, resulting in insufficient blood flow and irregular heartbeats. Arrhythmia is not dangerous; in most cases. However they can be severe and critical in some cases. When an arrhythmia occurs, the heart may not be able to supply enough blood to the rest of the body, and this could harm the heart, brain, and various other organs.
• Chest pain arises when the blood flow is limited, thus leading to difficulty in breathing and severe chest pains.
• Long-term effects of coronary artery disease include heart attacks and heart failure. Most heart attacks are caused by blocked arteries and a decreased blood flow. Heart failure occurs when the heart goes without nutrients and oxygen for a period of time or when there is too much damage to the heart during a heart attack. The heart stops beating as it is not strong enough to pump blood to various parts of the body.

Physiological effects of coronary artery disease could include anxiety, depression, and guilt. People suffering from coronary heart disease may start feeling apprehensive and anxious about their health and how the disease will change their lifestyle. Some patients who are diagnosed with this condition could get depressed and lose interest in life. Other patients could feel guilty that their chosen lifestyle has brought about the disease. Patients may also stay away from socializing and meeting friends as they could be tired or disinterested due to medication or a symptom of the disease. Screening a patient who has been diagnosed with the condition for symptoms will help health care givers give them the necessary care.

Side Effects

The side effects related to coronary artery disease are usually caused by the treatment plans like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and nitrates.

• ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors help lower your blood pressure to keep your heart healthy. Dry cough is the side effect linked with ACE inhibitors. Other side effects that are rare are altered taste, dizziness, light headedness, poor appetite, and rashes.
• Beta-blockers also aid in lowering blood pressure. Side effects include cold hands, depression, diminished libido, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, shortness of breath, and weakness.
• Calcium channel blockers help your arteries to relax and ease the pressure on your heart. Side effects commonly associated with calcium channel blockers are constipation, drowsiness, headache, flushing, nausea, rapid heartbeat, rashes and swelling of the feet.
• Nitroglycerin helps boost the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart and to relax your blood vessels. Side effects to watch out for are breathing problems, burning sensations, dizziness, flushing, excessive sweating, swelling of the face, arms or legs, weight gain and wheezing.
• Diuretics are not known to have any side effects.

References

• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/arr/
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001246/
• http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_other_drugs_used_angina_coronary_artery_disease_000003_7.htm
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001250/
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001212/