![Coronary artery disease in seniors. Characteristic symptoms and treatment method [EXPLAINED]](https://healthy-food-near-me.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/coronary-artery-disease-in-seniors-characteristic-symptoms-and-treatment-method-explained-778x425.jpg)
Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Coronary artery disease in seniors can have unusual symptoms. This is due to the fact that the elderly struggle with many ailments. Therefore, they are not able to say which of the listed symptoms will be responsible for ischemic heart disease. For this reason, we have decided to take a closer look at this issue.
Coronary artery disease in seniors – the background
Coronary artery disease in seniors usually has a different background than in younger people. It is difficult for a doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis and choose drugs. The main reason for this is that older people may also have other health conditions and take medications that will inhibit some of the health problems. symptoms of coronary artery disease. In addition, the side effects of some medications can be very serious for seniors.
Coronary artery disease in seniors – causes
The main cause of coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis, which is caused by a build-up of cholesterol in the venous arteries that supply blood to the heart. This process may take several years and is partly related to the progressive aging of the body. Regardless of the age behind ischemic heart disease an unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking may respond. In addition, in the elderly, the disease may be affected by hypertension, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Coronary artery disease in seniors – symptoms
The most common symptom of ischemic heart disease is chest pain, which spreads to the arm and is made worse with considerable exertion. Unfortunately, it may not occur at all in the elderly. It is replaced by the so-called mask-symptoms, which include nausea, palpitations, and shortness of breath. However, they are not unique to ischemic heart disease, which makes medical assessment difficult. They may indicate hypertension, diabetes or reflux disease.
You may also like:
- How to recognize heartache pains?
- Hypertension in seniors and disease prevention
Coronary artery disease in seniors – diagnosis
Due to the factors mentioned above diagnosis of coronary artery disease in seniors can also be hampered. Typically, ECG, laboratory tests, and echocardiography are performed. In some cases, the results may be falsified by other illnesses with which the patient is struggling. Younger people are also commissioned an exercise test, but due to their age, the senior may not be able to perform it. Computed tomography may be more precise, but there are also limitations here. Contrast should not be given to patients who suffer from kidney disease, which is a common disease of the elderly.
Coronary artery disease in seniors – treatment
Two methods are very important in the treatment of coronary artery disease in seniors: lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. A patient diagnosed with ischemic heart disease should first of all change his diet to an easily digestible one, as well as introduce exercise. Walks are helpful. Among the drugs, the most commonly given are acetylsalicylic acid, statins and beta-blockers. Their dosage depends on many factors, including comorbidities.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.