Everyone wishes to know his/her risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) better and 10 years in advance, which, may help him/her receive preventive care or treatment earlier to reduce CVD risks. Various symptoms and new tests can predict risk of heart disease beginning 10 years younger than before and estimates someone’s risk of total heart disease, which includes heart failure, in addition to heart attack and stroke. It also includes a measure of kidney health, which has been recognized more recently as an important risk factor for heart disease that can be managed and treated to improve health outcomes.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease symptoms depend on the type of heart disease. Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition that affects the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries are usually the cause of coronary artery disease. The buildup of these plaques is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis reduces blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body. It can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. One’s heart disease progression starts from less than 60% of blockages. 

 

You might not be diagnosed with coronary artery disease until you have a heart attack, angina, stroke or heart failure. It is important to watch for heart symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back, pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed. Then one should immediately discuss concerns with his/her health care provider. Heart (cardiovascular) disease can sometimes be found early with regular health checkups.

Coronary artery disease symptoms may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain. Women are more likely to have other symptoms along with chest discomfort, such as shortness of breath, nausea and extreme fatigue.

What are the four different stages of heart attack?

• Stable angina. Blood vessels are still open, but not completely
• Unstable angina. Plague and blockage are growing, making symptoms occur more frequently with less physical activity
• Heart attack with partial blockage
• Full heart attack or complete blockage

The blood clot of 100% is the actual cause of the major heart attack. If the blood and oxygen supply is cut off, muscle cells of the heart begin to suffer damage and start to die. Irreversible damage begins within 30 minutes of blockage. The result is heart muscle affected by the lack of oxygen no longer works, as it should.

In many instances, clogged arteries do not cause any symptoms until a major event, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs. When the artery is blocked by 70% or more, the buildup of arterial plaque may cause symptoms that include Chest pain. Shortness of breath. When you have less than 80% blockage, you face problem while going to bathroom, you experience chest pain while sitting in a chair when you have 90% blockage that means you come to know when you have less than 10% blood supply in your heart. For walking you need 20% blood supply in the heart, while walking, if you get chest pain that means you have 80% blockage. You can easily find out your heart diseases when you have 90% or 80% blockages while it is hard to detect your heart diseases when you have 70% blockage due to lack of any severe symptoms. Therefore, you need to have some tests.

How to detect heart problems in advance?

Everyone wants to know about the chances of developing heart disease 10 years in advance. You can do that by talking different simple tests that diagnose heart disease.

·      Exercise tests or stress tests. These tests often involve walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the heart is monitored. Exercise tests help reveal how the heart responds to physical activity and whether heart disease symptoms occur during exercise. This is the best test to find out whether you have 70% or less heart blockage. 

·      Heart (cardiac) CT scan/CT Angiogram - In a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body, collects images of your heart and chest, and helps to find out the percentage of your heart blockage.

·      Heart (cardiac) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the heart.

Early detection of hear blockages help avoid having any kind heart diseases in the first place. These include eating healthy, being physically active, not smoking, and getting plenty of sleep. Some medications if prescribed by your health care professional.

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