IHD occurs when heart muscles receive less oxygen due to reduced blood flow in coronary arteries, leading to chest pain (angina), heart attacks, or heart failure.
- Most Common Cause: Atherosclerosis (Plaque buildup in coronary arteries).
- Mnemonic: "IHD = Insufficient Heart Delivery (of Blood)"
TYPES OF IHD
- Angina Pectoris → Chest pain due to temporary lack of oxygen.
- Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Heart Attack) → Severe blockage causing heart muscle death.
- Chronic IHD → Slow heart failure after multiple heart attacks.
- Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) → Sudden death due to a heart rhythm problem.
Mnemonic: "A-M-C-S" (Angina, MI, Chronic IHD, SCD)
CAUSES & RISK
FACTORS OF IHD
Non-Modifiable (Cannot Be Changed)
- Age → Risk
increases with age.
- Gender
→ More common in males, increases in postmenopausal
females.
- Genetics
→ Family history increases risk.
Mnemonic: "A-G-G" (Age, Gender, Genetics)
Modifiable (Can Be Controlled)
- Smoking
- Unhealthy Diet (High Fat, Sugar, Salt)
- Physical Inactivity
- Hypertension (High BP)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Mnemonic: "S.U.G.A.R." (Smoking, Unhealthy Diet, Glucose (Diabetes), Activity Low, Raised BP)
SYMPTOMS OF IHD
• Chest Pain (Angina) → Tight, squeezing pain
behind the sternum.
• Pain Radiates to left arm, jaw, or back.
• Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Fatigue.
• Heart Attack Symptoms (Severe Pain, Nausea, Collapse).
Mnemonic: "C.A.R.D.I.A.C." (Chest Pain, Arm Pain, Radiating, Dyspnea, Intense Sweating, Angina Episodes, Collapse in MI)
DIAGNOSIS OF IHD
- ECG → Detects ST changes, Arrhythmias.
- Cardiac Biomarkers (Troponin, CK-MB) → Elevated in Myocardial Infarction.
- Treadmill Stress Test → Identifies ischemia during exercise.
- Echocardiography (ECHO) → Evaluates heart function.
- Coronary Angiography (Gold Standard Test!) → Detects artery blockages.
Mnemonic: "E.T.E.C.A." (ECG, Troponin, Exercise Test, ECHO, Coronary Angiography)
TREATMENT OF IHD
1. IMMEDIATE
MANAGEMENT (DURING CHEST PAIN)
- Nitroglycerin (Sublingual) → Dilates coronary arteries.
- Aspirin → Prevents clot formation.
- Oxygen → Given if patient has low oxygen levels.
2. LONG-TERM
MANAGEMENT
Lifestyle Changes:
- Quit Smoking, Healthy Diet, Regular
Exercise.
Medications:
- Beta-Blockers
→ Reduce heart workload.
- Aspirin & Clopidogrel
→ Prevent clot formation.
- Statins
→ Lower cholesterol.
Surgical Options:
- Angioplasty (Stent Placement) → Opens
blocked arteries.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
→ Bypass blocked arteries.
Mnemonic: "N.L.M.S." (Nitroglycerin, Lifestyle, Medications, Surgery)
PREVENTION OF IHD
Control Risk Factors:
- Manage BP, Diabetes, Cholesterol.
- Quit Smoking & Reduce Stress.
Healthy Lifestyle:
- Eat More Fruits, Less Junk Food.
- Exercise Daily, Maintain Healthy
Weight.
Regular Check-ups:
- Annual ECG & Cholesterol Check.
Mnemonic: "R.H.C." (Risk Factor Control, Healthy Lifestyle, Check-ups)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Types of IHD = "A-M-C-S" (Angina, MI, Chronic IHD, SCD)
- Causes = "A-G-G" (Age, Gender, Genetics) & "S.U.G.A.R." (Smoking, Unhealthy Diet, Glucose, Activity Low, Raised BP)
- Symptoms = "C.A.R.D.I.A.C." (Chest Pain, Arm Pain, Radiating, Dyspnea, Intense Sweating, Angina, Collapse in MI)
- Diagnosis = "E.T.E.C.A." (ECG, Troponin, Exercise Test, ECHO, Coronary Angiography)
- Treatment = "N.L.M.S." (Nitroglycerin, Lifestyle, Medications, Surgery)
- Prevention = "R.H.C." (Risk Factor Control, Healthy Lifestyle, Check-ups)
