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Ischemic Heart Disease


Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world today. Almost 10 million people died in the world in 2011, due to these diseases (WHO data 1).

The percentage of deaths associated with ischemic heart disease is even greater in countries with medium and high economic levels according to WHO 1. That is why the ischemic heart disease is considered a problem on a global scale.

Ischemic Heart Disease

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What is Ischemic Heart Disease?

Ischemic heart disease is a disease caused by decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, causing a series of disorders that may end up with the patient's life or cause different degrees of ventricular dysfunction.

The main cause of ischemic heart disease is the coronary arteriosclerosis, which causes acute and chronic narrowing of the coronary arteries, with the consequent oxygen deficiency in the myocardium.

Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease

  • Age: The incidence of ischemic heart disease increases with age.
  • Gender: Males have a higher risk than women, although the risk is equal after menopause.
  • Inheritance: A family history of ischemic heart disease at an early age.
  • A personal history of previous ischemic heart disease.
  • Dyslipidemia: The presence of high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL.
  • Smoking.
  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Arterial hypertension.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.

Ischemic Heart Disease and Electrocardiogram

The electrocardiogram is, along with the clinic, one of the main tools for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

In both acute events (read acute coronary syndrome) such as chronic, the electrocardiogram we facilitates the diagnosis, showing us changes, especially in the ST segment and T wave.

Therefore, when ischemic heart disease is suspected, a 12-lead electrocardiogram must be done.

Changes in the ST segment and T wave in the EKG during a stress test, allows us the diagnosis of angina and the risk stratification.


Types of Ischemic Heart Disease

In this section we will discuss the different types of presentation of ischemic heart disease and the characteristics of their respective electrocardiograms.

Let us hope that this section will be pleasant and you can clarify the doubts about the ischemic heart disease and the electrocardiogram.

References

1. World Health Organization. The top 10 causes of death. WHO | The top 10 causes of death; 2018 [consulta: 28 julio 2018]. Disponible en: http://www.who.int/mediacen...310/en/.

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