Key Concepts in Health Promotion Free Essay Example, 1500 words

In the UK, approximately 2.6 million people live with the disease and an estimated 2 million people are affected by angina (a common symptom of the coronary heart disease). The disease affects more men than women and older people at a risk of developing the disease (Directgov 2010, p1). Coronary heart disease refers to what occurs when the heart’s blood supply is interrupted or blocked by the build up of the fatty substances in the coronary arteries. With time, the arteries are filled up with the fatty deposits (they are also known as atheroma), a process known as atherosclerosis. If the coronary arteries become thin due to the atheroma build up, then the heart blood supply is restricted and this causes angina (chest pains). When the coronary artery becomes completely blocked, it leads to heart attack (myocardial infarction) (Directgov 2010, p1). Prevention and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease The treatment of coronary heart disease is dependent on its seriousness. There are a number of treatments that are available and the best treatment option is surgery or angioplasty. We will write a custom essay sample on Key Concepts in Health Promotion or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now There are a number of medications available for the treatment of coronary heart disease. The main aim of the medicines is to prevent the coronary heart disease from getting worse or to stop further heart attacks. The following are examples of such medicines: Aspirin (an anti-platelet medicine) – the intake of 75mg of aspirin as a daily dose reduces the likelihood of the blood to form clots and thus reducing the risk of developing heart attack. Statins (cholesterol lowering medicine) – the medicine slows down the atherosclerosis process. Beta-blockers – these medicines reduce the blood pressure and the intensity of the work done by the heart. Calcium channel blockers – they widen and relax the arteries. Anticoagulants – they prevent the formation of blood clots. ACE inhibitors – they lower the blood pressure and they are commonly used in individuals with heart attack or heart failure. Nitrates- they relax the coronary arteries and permit more blood to reach the heart. Anti-arrhythmic medicines – they assist in the control of the heart rhythm. There are non-surgical treatments available such as the coronary angioplasty; the process involves the passage of a collapsed balloon through the blood vessels until it arrives at the heart arteries, the balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed coronary artery. Surgical treatment involves taking a piece of a blood vessel from the leg or the chest and utilizes it to bypass the coronary artery that has been narrowed by the fatty deposits; the bypass allows the heart to access more blood.