What Do You Need To Know About Primary And Secondary Prevention Of CAD?

 

A narrowing or blocking of the arteries is called Coronary Artery Disease. Blockage occurs when plaque or cholesterol accumulates on the inner surface of the arteries. The process takes time, and the deposits harden over time.

What Are the Consequences of Coronary Artery Blockages?

The person feels pain and discomfort in the chest if the blockage becomes severe. The person may also feel a regulating pain in the left arm or shoulder. These are the main heart attack symptoms that should never be ignored. The blockage can cause a heart attack if it progresses rapidly, and any delay in treatment can be life-threatening.

How Does CAD Occur?

Around the world, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death. CAD is predisposed by a variety of documented risk factors. Risk factors include family history, hypertension, dyslipidemia (abnormal blood cholesterol level), long-standing diabetes, a stressful lifestyle, and smoking. Coronary Artery Disease is more likely to occur when there are many risk factors.

Primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease

The primary prevention of the condition is to prevent it even before it occurs, and the secondary prevention is to avoid subsequent attacks of any cardiovascular disease after the first attack has occurred. You can also visit the best heart hospital in Siliguri for regular checkups.

What are the right candidates for primary prevention?

Candidacy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is heavily influenced by family history. A doctor at cardiac sciences hospital siliguri analyzes the condition based on physical examinations and lab tests. A combination of all the tests helps the doctor determine whether a patient is a candidate for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

For primary prevention, the following would be required:

Exercise – Exercise has the same effect on CVD as it does on most other health problems. For primary prevention candidates, 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week is recommended. Physical activity reduces the risk of CVD significantly according to the cardiac sciences hospital siliguri.

Balanced diet - Diet plays an equally important role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Diets high in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and low in saturated fats and sugars are recommended by doctors.

Smoking – Smoking doubles the mortality rate of patients with cardiovascular disease, and causes other health complications as well. In terms of CVD prevention, quitting smoking is the single most cost-effective intervention.

Weight - Having a body mass index > 25 and being overweight are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Doctors always recommend that primary prevention candidates maintain a healthy weight.

Lipid-Lowering Therapy – In primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, this therapy has been used for a long time to reduce lipid levels. Statins are used to treat elevated cholesterol levels in this therapy.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease that works in synergy with other risk factors. Taking antihypertensive drugs suggested by the specialists at cardiac sciences hospital siliguri keeps the condition under control and leads to a significant reduction in CVD events.

How Does Secondary Prevention Work?

The secondary prevention includes: The prevention of a second occurrence of Coronary Artery Disease (e.g., after an acute coronary syndrome or a heart attack). A second occurrence of Coronary Artery Disease is prevented after surgical procedures are used to treat the condition.

Bottom Line:

These primary prevention methods also play a major role in keeping the patient healthy and away from further complications. As suggested by the experts at cardiac sciences hospitalsiliguri, combining primary and secondary prevention can also prevent the second occurrence of coronary artery disease.