Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or aka Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a heart disease caused by
impaired coronary blood flow due to clogged coronary arteries resulting to decreased oxygen supply
to the heart muscles.
CAD cause myocardial infarction (heart attack), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), heart failure, and
sudden death.
The most common cause is atherosclerosis which is the thickening of the inside walls of the arteries
due to the deposition of fat-like substances.

MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

These are the factors that are controllable and changeable.
High level of LDL (low density lipoprotein) or also known as bad cholesterol
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Sedentary lifestyle
Stress
Smoking

NON MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

These are factors that cannot be controlled and change.
Hereditary diseases
Sex (male)
Age (old)








Screening for Elevated Blood Cholesterol
The ff. are the guidelines used in screening for elevated blood cholesterol
1. Total Cholesterol normal is <200 mg/dL
i) 200-239 mg/dL elevated, borderline high; may be at risk
ii) Greater than 240 mg/dL elevated; high risk; undesirable; require further testing

2) High density lipoprotein (HDL) good cholesterol the HIGHER the value, the BETTER
i) Lesser than 40 mg/dL in men undesirable
ii) Lesser than 50 mg/dL in women undesirable

3) Low density lipoprotein (LDL) bad cholesterol normal is lesser than 100 mg/dL
i) 100-129 mg/dL near or above normal
ii) 130 159 mg/dL borderline high
iii) 160-189 mg/dL high; undesirable
iv) Greater than 190 mg/dL very high; undesirable

4) Triglycerides normal is lesser than 150 mg/dL
i) 150-199 mg/dL borderline high; undesirable
ii) 200-499 mg/dL high; undesirable
iii) Greater than 500 mg/dL very high; undesirable

CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT or STROKE
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke is the loss or alteration of bodily function as a result of
insufficient supple of blood to some parts of the brain.
Loss of blood supply for several results to death and cerebral infarction or stroke.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability which can lead to weakness or paralysis usually one
side of the body or even inability to talk (aphasia).
The most common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis which causes narrowing of the blood vessels
supplying the brain.
Three types of stroke:
a) Thrombotic Stroke caused by thrombi in the atherosclerotic blood vessels of older persons
b) Embolic Stroke is usually caused by a moving blood clot or embolus, usually in the left side if
the heart that becomes lodged in a small artery from which it cannot pass
c) Hemorrhagic stroke most fatal type due to intracerebral hemorrhage resulting from the
rupture of intracerebral vessels. This usually happen when the person is active.



MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

a) Hypertension
b) Smoking
c) Diabetes Mellitus
d) Heart disease
e) High red blood cell count thickens the blood which clots easily.
f) Season and climate
g) Sedentary lifestyle
h) Intravenous drug abuse (cocaine, etc)

NON MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS
a) Hereditary or with family history
b) Sex - more women die of stroke than men at all ages
c) Increasing age (old)

PREVENTION OF STROKE
1) Promote regular exercise which increases HDL or good cholesterol, prevents obesity and improves
functioning of the heart
2) Reduce the intake of saturated fats that increase LDL or bad cholesterol, lessen salt intake and eat
high fiber foods like vegetables, fruits
3) Quit smoking
4) Undergo regular check-ups
5) Limit alcohol consumption
6) Avoid intravenous drugs especially cocaine.