1. Smoking:
Nicotine consumption in the form of active, passive, or tobacco chewing is one of the strongest causes of CAD in India.

2. High Lipid Profile:
An Increase in cholesterol, LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) and reduction in HDL (High-Density lipoprotein) increases the risk of CAD.

3. Diabetes Mellitus:
High blood glucose levels and imbalance in lipid profile causes heart diseases as a secondary complication.
Also Read: How Diabetes Affects Our Heart Health

4. Hypertension:
Blood pressure above 140/90mm Hg is an indication of high-risk hypertension, a common risk factor for the development of CAD.

• Severe chest pain or angina
• Irregular palpitations or heavy breathing
• Fatigue
• Faint loss of consciousness or feeling of dizziness
• A suffocating or burning sensation circulating from center of the heart towards neck, back, throat, shoulders, arms and rest of the upper body
• Women tend to suffer with chest tightness or discomfort as a beginning symptom of Coronary Artery Disease
• If these symptoms are left ignored or untreated, they may lead to a stroke or death.

• Detailed clinical is history taken by the cardiologist to understand the severity, location and duration of the chest pain or angina
• Medical history of the patient
• Physical examination of the patient to enable a complete understanding of the symptoms
• Chest X-ray
• 12- lead electrocardiography (ECG)
• Resting echocardiography
• A full lipid profile, renal profile, thyroid profile, complete blood profile, blood sugar, and Hba1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) profile is also needed for a complete picture.

• I. Pharmacological Treatment: Used for long term relief from symptoms

  • Beta-blocker
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Nitrates
  • Combination of antiplatelet agents

  II. Lifestyle management Treatment: Used for prevention of Coronary Artery Disease

  • Dietary intervention including a healthy diet rich in whole grain cereals, pulses, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, foods low in saturated fat and rich in good quality fats like omega-3 fatty acids, MUFA(mono-unsaturated fatty acids) and PUFA(Polyunsaturated fatty acids)
  • A daily pattern of adequate physical activity
  • Weight control measures
  • Management of dyslipidemia
  • Management of blood sugar levels in pre-diabetics and diabetic patients owing to a high risk of developing CAD
  • Management of hypertension
  • Pre and post-treatment measures
  • Anti-smoking and tobacco chewing rehabilitation techniques At Care For Your Heart, we aim at reducing the burden of cardiac diseases in India by emphasizing prevention and disease management in a more efficient manner.