How to detect coronary heart disease as early as possible?

To detect coronary heart disease early, it is important to pay attention to the following symptoms:

1. Chest discomfort or pain behind the sternum or in the precordial area, or a squeezing pain that radiates to the left shoulder or arm, lasting for 3-5 minutes and relieved with rest.
2. Chest tightness, palpitations, or shortness of breath during physical activity, relieved with rest.
3. Exercise-related headaches, toothaches, leg pain, etc.
4. Chest pain or palpitations occurring after a heavy meal, exposure to cold, or watching thrilling movies.
5. Feeling of chest tightness or breathlessness with a low pillow while sleeping at night, requiring a higher pillow position for comfort. Sudden onset of chest pain, palpitations, or difficulty breathing while lying flat during sleep or in the daytime, relieved by immediately sitting up or standing.
6. Feeling of palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or discomfort during sexual activity or straining during bowel movements.
7. Feeling of palpitations or chest tightness triggered by hearing loud noises or other sounds.
8. Recurring irregular heartbeat, unexplained tachycardia, or bradycardia.
9. Symptoms such as fainting, blacking out, fatigue, nausea, etc.

If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to seek medical attention promptly for examination and early detection and diagnosis of coronary heart disease. At the same time, it is important to make lifestyle adjustments and maintain healthy habits, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in appropriate exercise, etc., to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke are both cardiovascular diseases that share some common risk factors and underlying mechanisms. They are closely linked in several ways:

1. Shared Risk Factors: Both CHD and stroke are influenced by similar risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity. These factors can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of both heart attacks and strokes.
2. Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a key underlying condition for both CHD and stroke. In CHD, atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. In the case of stroke, atherosclerosis can occur in the arteries supplying blood to the brain, causing a blockage or rupture that leads to a stroke.
3. Thrombosis: Blood clots (thrombosis) can form in the narrowed or damaged arteries due to atherosclerosis. If a clot forms in the coronary arteries, it can cause a heart attack. Similarly, a clot that forms in the arteries supplying the brain can cause an ischemic stroke.
4. Embolism: An embolism occurs when a clot or other substance, such as plaque, breaks off from its site of origin and travels through the bloodstream. If an embolus from a coronary artery travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
5. Cardioembolic Stroke: In some cases, strokes can be caused by problems originating in the heart. For example, individuals with CHD, especially those who have had a heart attack or have irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, are at increased risk of cardioembolic stroke, where a clot forms in the heart and then travels to the brain.
6. Treatment and Prevention: Treatments for CHD, such as medications to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions, also help in reducing the risk of stroke. Conversely, managing stroke risk factors can also benefit heart health.

In summary, coronary heart disease and stroke are closely related through shared risk factors, underlying pathological processes like atherosclerosis, and the potential for thrombosis and embolism to affect both the heart and the brain. Addressing these common factors is crucial for the prevention and management of both conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of the most recent data available:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease, affecting about 18.2 million adults aged 20 and older in the United States.
• CHD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., accounting for about one in every seven deaths.
• Each year, about 655,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, about 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent, meaning they occur without any symptoms.
• The prevalence of CHD increases with age, with about 1 in 10 adults aged 65 and older having CHD.

These statistics highlight the significant impact of coronary heart disease on public health in the United States.