At volunteering this evening I learnt a little bit about coronary heart disease whilst talking to a patient. The process begins when the coronary arteries become narrowed by a gradual build up of fatty material (known as atheroma) within their walls. The artery may become so narrow that it cannot deliver enough oxygen containing blood to the heart. As a result the patient can suffer from a pain in their chest which is known as angina. (A heart attack happens when a narrowed coronary artery becomes blocked by a blood clot.)
One of the main drugs used to prevent or treat angina is a beta blocker. It works by slowing the heart rate, this in turn reduces the amount of work the heart has to do so it therefore needs less oxygen, blood and nutrients. Beta blockers are very effective at preventing attacks of angina but unfortunately they work too slowly to be useful in relieving an episode once it has started. As beta blockers reduce the force of the heartbeat they must be used very carefully in people with heart failure.
Minor side effects are common but they tend to lessen as time goes on. These include tiredness, fatigue and cold hands and feet. (Source: The British Heart Foundation)
Eating healthy can reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease and consequently angina. Advice includes: eating a wide variety of fruit and veg, reduce the amount of fat you eat (particularly unsaturated and trans fats), eating oily fish and omega-3 fats, reduce the amount of salt you eat and finally not drinking too much alcohol.
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