What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease? - Classic CHD symptoms

Coronary artery disease (CAD) describes a heart disease in which the blood vessels of the heart, the coronary arteries, become calcified and narrowed. Thus, the blood's path to supply the heart is blocked by narrowing. In the worst case, coronary heart disease (CHD) can thus trigger heart attacks or even lead to cardiac death. But what are the symptoms of coronary heart disease? Learn more here.

Contents

CHD - What is it?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms and complaints. Most common CHD symptom is the Chest tightness (med. angina pectoris). It is manifested by Pain and a Tightness in the chest. As if "an elephant was standing on the chest".

CHD symptoms

Other common CHD symptoms include High blood pressure (med. hypertension), Water retention (med. edema), Shortness of breath, Blood pressure drop and Cardiac arrhythmias. At Women can use the CHD symptoms frequent different look (read more in the article "How to recognize heart problems in women? CHD and heart attack symptoms women").

Consequences of CHD

Untreated CHD can lead to serious consequences, such as. Heart attack, lead. Harbingers of heart attack are more likely for women Nausea or pain in the head, neck and back instead of the stabbing chest pain familiar in men. If you suspect a heart attack, call the emergency services immediately on 112.

CHD Definition - What does the word coronary mean?

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also called chronic ischemic heart disease or ischemic heart disease is a cardiovascular disease in which the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood (coronary arteries) are diseased.

But what does coronary mean anyway? This medical term literally means: belonging to the coronary vessels.

A healthy heart is supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen by the coronary vessels. Due to various causes it comes to the Arteriosclerosis (med. arteriosclerosis) and strain. These include, for example, a unhealthy lifestyle (e.g. little exercise), the genetic predisposition or Hypertension (med. hypertension). It forms Deposits in the Blood vessels and the Coronary arteries constrict more and more. Consequently, the Heart only insufficiently supplied with blood become. This condition is called coronary artery disease (CAD).

But how does coronary heart disease manifest itself in the first place? Only those who know the typical CHD causes and CHD symptoms can act quickly and thus mitigate or even avoid negative consequences, such as heart attacks.

CHD Symptoms - How does coronary artery disease manifest itself?

Coronary artery disease is usually manifested by a chest pain that is Chest tightness (med. Angina pectoris). This results in a Tightness and pain in the chest, which often in the Poor and the Lower jaw radiate. Those affected often describe the feeling like this, "as if an elephant were standing on the chest".

The symptom of chest tightness can be divided into:

the stable angina pectoris, which occurs mainly after physical or mental stress
the unstable angina pectoris On the other hand, occurs for the first time, to a particularly severe extent or even at rest
a silent angina pectoris in turn shows hardly any physical signs and therefore often goes completely unnoticed.

Additional, frequent CHD symptoms are Shortness of breath, a zu high or too low blood pressure (med. hypertension or hypotension), Water retention (med. edema), Increased pulse, Cardiac arrhythmias, Sweats, Nausea and Anxiety. In some cases, e.g., in diabetics, coronary artery disease can also be without symptoms and pain (e.g., chest pain). The lack of treatment increases the risk of heart attacks, for example.

For women can CHD symptoms frequent different look (you can read more about this in the article "How to recognize heart problems in women? CHD and heart attack symptoms women").

How dangerous is coronary heart disease?

For those affected by heart problems, the carousel of thoughts quickly starts: "Is coronary heart disease dangerous? Can you die from CHD?". A untreated coronary artery disease can serious consequences have, such as a Heart attack and in the worst case even to the Death lead. The more advanced the coronary artery disease, the more likely it is to develop various dangerous CHD symptoms.

Can you grow old with coronary artery disease?

Is coronary artery disease curable or can CHD be stopped? Unfortunately not. But You can do a lot themselves, to prevent coronary artery disease, or To curb CHD risk factors. So you can also live long with CHD and increase your life expectancy, for example.

This includes above all a healthy lifestyle and a regular intake of the CHD medication. You can read more about CHD risk factors in the section "What can be done about coronary heart disease"?

What to do if CHD is suspected?

You have a Suspicion of CHD and wonder: where to go with heart problems?

First of all: If you suspect CHD, you should always consult a doctor or a clinic. You have sudden onset of chest pain? Then you should immediately the Call emergency doctor on 112! Your doctor can make a CHD diagnosis through a Cardiac catheter Investigation or a Heart CT put. This allows him to detect narrowed and clogged arteries, can Check heart function and treat you in the best possible way.

As a general rule, if you have already Medication for emergencies (e.g. Nitrospraymed. nitroglycerol), you will always have them at hand for such situations.

What can be done about coronary heart disease?

A coronary heart disease can be together with the Treat doctor well. The main pillars: extensive to be medically/medically cared for, a regular intake of the CHD medication (e.g., antihypertensives), a Awareness of CHD symptoms and complaints (e.g. angina pectoris) and the Adapt own lifestyle. This includes, Blood pressure values always keep an eye on yourself, regularly Sport after heart attack and with coronary artery disease into your everyday life, get heart healthy diet after heart attack and with CHD, Handle stress well to be able to and a healthy handling of stimulants such as alcohol and cigarettes.

In some patients with advanced CHD, also Interventions, e.g. a Stent implantation or in severe cases a Bypass surgerynecessary. This is how constricted coronary vessels are bridged or dilated.

That sounds like quite a lot?

Understandable! The Life after heart attack and with CHD can feel quite upside down. The Vantis heart app takes you by the hand. You helps you and your doctor, a Overview of your health (incl. medication, blood pressure, occurring CHD symptoms and complaints) to have and in small steps your Lifestyle adapt.

Extra tip: The medication and health coach

Read more "Life after heart attack and with CHD" you will find by the way also in our other articles like "How should I exercise with heart disease or after a heart attack?", "How do I succeed in changing my diet, heart healthy and delicious?" or "What is the best way to deal with stress?".

Safety note for heart patients

If in doubt, especially if you are a heart patient or at increased risk of heart attack or other heart disease, always consult your physician. If you suspect a heart attack, contact the emergency number 112 immediately.

References

CHD - when the heart vessels narrow. Patient-Information.com. https://www.patienten-information.de/kurzinformationen/koronare-herzkrankheit (accessed Aug. 31, 2022).
How is CHD diagnosed?. Patient-Information.com. https://www.patienten-information.de/patientenleitlinien/khk/kapitel-5 (accessed Aug. 31, 2022).
Angina pectoris - cardiovascular diseases. MSD Manual Ausgabe für Patienten. https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/heim/herz-und-gef%C3%A4%C3%9Fkrankheiten/koronare-herzkrankheit/angina-pectoris?query=angina%20pectoris (abgerufen am 31.08.2022).
Angina pectoris - cardiovascular diseases. MSD Manual Profi-Ausgabe. https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/profi/herz-kreislauf-krankheiten/koronare-herzkrankheit/angina-pectoris?query=angina%20pectoris (abgerufen am 31.08.2022).
Knuuti, J.; Wijns, W.; Saraste, A.; Capodanno, D.; Barbato, E.; Funck-Brentano, C.; Prescott, E.; Storey, R. F.; Deaton, C.; Cuisset, T.; Agewall, S.; Dickstein, K.; Edvardsen, T.; Escaned, J.; Gersh, B. J.; Svitil, P.; Gilard, M.; Hasdai, D.; Hatala, R.; Mahfoud, F.; Masip, J.; Muneretto, C.; Valgimigli, M.; Achenbach, S.; Bax, J. J.; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes. Eur. Heart J. 2020, 41 (3), 407-477. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425.
Pschyrembel Editorial. Nitroglycerol. https://www.pschyrembel.de/Nitroglycerol/K0FA5 (accessed Aug. 31, 2022).

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease? - Classic CHD symptoms

At a glance

CHD - What is it?

CHD symptoms

Consequences of CHD

CHD Definition - What does the word coronary mean?