Introduction
Heart disease’s fundamental pathophysiologic mechanism typically begins with the atherosclerosis process, which develops and advances for periods before the acute episode. Atherosclerosis refers to a low-grade inflammation of the medium-sized arteries’ intima, accelerated by various risk factors, including genetics, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and blood pressure (Ford et al., 2017). This gradual progression triggers the arteries’ inner layer’s slow thickening, which later causes the narrowing of the artery’s lumen to different degrees over time. Atherosclerosis, which causes the acute sudden cardiac death (SCD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) syndromes, has a predisposition for the main coronary arteries’ proximal segments, typically at the arterial bifurcation extremities which alter arterial blood flow.
The gradual atherosclerotic advancement may be interrupted by a single or more rapid progression cycles related to specific procedures. These processes include the asymptomatic plaque disruption following the formation of a plaque hemorrhage or non-occlusive intraluminal thrombus (Arrigo et al., 2016). An atherosclerotic plaque consists of smooth muscle cells, cellular debris, inflammatory cells, and varying cholesterol ester and cholesterol levels (Arrigo et al., 2016). The development of intraluminal coronary thrombus causes symptomatic coronary occlusion. Some of the common symptoms associated with heart disorder include:
- Angina (respiratory system) – Chest pain, discomfort, pressure, and tightness;
- Dyspnea (respiratory system) – Shortness of breath;
- Pain in the upper abdomen, throat, jaw, and neck (digestive system) (“Coronary artery disease,” 2019).
- Pain weakness, or numbness in the arms or legs, particularly if the blood vessels in these body parts are narrowed (skeletal system).
Treatment and Management of the Disease
The treatment and management of heart disorders depend on the fundamental diagnosis procedure of the specific heart disorder. Some of the primary diagnostic techniques for this condition include Holter monitoring, electrocardiogram tests, stress test, Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and CT (computerized cardiac tomography) scan (Arrigo et al. 2016). Heart disease therapies differ par the underlying condition; however, some of the general treatment approaches related to the illness include:
- Lifestyle changes involve eating low-sodium and low-fat diets, thirty minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, restricting alcohol intake, and smoking cessation.
- Medications: Physicians may prescribe medicines depending on the patient’s heart disease type. For instance, cholesterol modifying drugs, ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers), aspirin, beta-blockers, ranolazine, calcium channel blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), and nitroglycerin may be prescribed accordingly for patients with coronary artery disorder (CAD) (Leening, & Ikram, 2018). Thrombolytics, pain relievers, antiplatelet agents, and blood-thinning drugs may be prescribed for heart failure patients (Leening, & Ikram, 2018).
- Medical surgeries or procedures which depend on the heart disease type and extent of heart damage due to the condition. These procedures include coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary revascularization (Leening, & Ikram, 2018).
The Role of Science in Equipping Humans to Participate in God’s Redemptive Work
Scientific advancements have triggered the development of health information technologies (HIT) deemed essential in improving healthcare practices. Some of these innovations include electronic health records, remote monitoring equipment, telehealth, genomic sequencing, and wearable technology. The above-mentioned innovations improve access to quality care, enhance the efficiency in healthcare delivery operations, and foster better health promotion and disease control approaches. Furthermore, the insights obtained from medical-related scientific research play a crucial role in decreasing the impact of various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. As science continually uncovers the molecular functions which underpin a disorder, profound changes are being perceived in treatment approaches. Significant technological evolutions in the development of medical equipment such as MRI and x-ray machines also foster the improved diagnosis of medical conditions.
References
Arrigo, M., Parissis, J. T., Akiyama, E., & Mebazaa, A. (2016). Understanding acute heart failure: Pathophysiology and diagnosis. European Heart Journal Supplements, 18(suppl_G), 11–18. Web.
Coronary artery disease (CAD). (2019). Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Ford, T. J., Corcoran, D., & Berry, C. (2017). Coronary artery disease: Physiology and prognosis. European Heart Journal, 38(25), 1990–1992. Web.
Leening, M. J. G., & Ikram, M. A. (2018). Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: The past, present, and future of blood pressure- and cholesterol-lowering treatments. PLoS Med, 15(3), 1–5. Web.