Every hour, 5 Thai people die from heart disease

Every hour, 5 Thai people die from heart disease

Heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, or heart failure, is a leading cause of death worldwide. Some people require surgery, such as bypass or angioplasty, to widen their arteries and improve blood flow to their heart. It's important to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, as they cause over 11.2 million deaths each year, accounting for 80% of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease. However, these deaths can be prevented by controlling risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity.

It is estimated that roughly 5 Thai people die from heart disease every hour, or over 65,000 people per year, which could have been prevented.

Many people may think it's fortunate that it's not them or their loved ones, but understanding and applying the knowledge from this article can help promote peace of mind and improve their health even more.

The heart muscle, like any other organ, needs oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Blood is supplied to the heart through the coronary arteries, which branch off from the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The coronary arteries are about 3-4 millimeters in diameter and branch off from the base of the aorta, which is often referred to as the "heart valve."

The coronary arteries have two large blood vessels, namely the left and right coronary arteries. The heart's coronary artery is located on the outside surface of the heart and branches cover every square inch of the inner wall of the coronary artery with small cells called endothelium. The endothelium acts like a good coating of waterproofing tiles by releasing various important substances that prevent blockages in the coronary artery caused by blood clots and fatty deposits. Additionally, there are substances that help to dilate the blood vessels, improving blood flow.

The cells of the endothelial tissue are similar to all cells in our body that naturally grow, wear down and die over time. If this occurs gradually and naturally, such as with age, it typically does not cause any serious problems. However, if it occurs before its time, it can lead to issues. Think of the condition of a tile floor that becomes stained and loses its shine with debris and dirt accumulating over time. The same can happen in the coronary artery, where fatty deposits build up on the wall of the 3mm-sized artery.

The accumulation and buildup of the aforementioned fat actually occurs gradually from a very young age, although it is determined by several factors such as genetics, the amount of fat consumed, smoking, and high blood pressure.

If the accumulation of fat is minimal (less than 50% of the blood vessel), it may not cause any problems, but if it is excessive, which often exceeds 70% of the blood vessels, the blood flow may not be sufficient to meet the demands of the heart muscle. This can lead to chronic ischemic muscle disease, especially when the body and heart muscle require more blood flow, such as during exercise. This may cause symptoms that may improve on their own after rest, except for some cases that may require the use of drugs to dilate the blood vessels, known as sprays or sublingual tablets.

If chest pain occurs gradually, it can cause chronic ischemic muscle disease, especially when the body and heart muscle require more blood flow, such as during exercise. This may cause symptoms that may improve on their own after rest, except for some cases that may require the use of drugs to dilate the blood vessels, known as sprays or sublingual tablets.

If chest pain occurs suddenly, which is often caused by the lipid plaque that has ruptured the inner surface of the coronary arteries, then blood clots form and completely block the arteries. This can cause acute myocardial infarction, with symptoms ranging from chest discomfort to sudden death due to cardiac arrest. Some lucky ones may be taken to the hospital and receive treatment, while others may not survive.

Best wishes from Vibhavadi Cardiology Center