CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, PC

 

Shantilal Kenia – M.D., FACC, FCCP

James Buffum – M.D., FACP

Alan Wiseman – M.D., FACC, FRCP(c)

 Lisa Massie – M.D

 

65 Springfield Raod299 Carew St., #326
Westfield, MA – 01805Springfield, MA – 01104
(413) 562-7558(413) 747-8700
Fax – (413) 562-0907

 

 

 

HEART ATTACK!

(Acute Myocardial Infarction)

 

Coronary arteries are the blood vessels, which supply oxygen and nutrition to most romantic organ of the human body – the Heart.  When these arteries get clogged due to fatty deposits or plaques (process called as atherosclerosis), one develops, a condition called as Coronary Artery disease (CAD).  When this atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, blood flowing through the coronary artery, can then develop a clot within the artery, causing a complete occlusion of the vessel.  This stops the supply of oxygen and nutrition to the portion of the heart muscle.  If the blood flow is not restored in a timely manner, that portion of heart muscle dies and the patient is told to have a heart attack!

 

Asian Indians around the world have the highest rates of CAD, although almost half of them are life-long vegetarians.  When compared to Whites, Black, Hispanics, Chinese and other Asians, the CAD rates among Asian Indians worldwide are two to four times higher at all ages and five to ten times higher in those younger than 40 years of age, inspite of presence of low rates of conventional risk factors.  The excess risk of CAD is even grater in women than in men, despite the fact that tobacco abuse is virtually non-existent among these women.  This is not yet well understood Asian Indian Paradox!

 

Risk Factors: Presence of following factors place the person at high risk for developing CAD

 

1.      Hypertension (High Blood Pressure – HBP)

2.      Smoking

3.      Elevated Cholesterol

4.      Diabetes Mellitus

5.      Overweight

6.      Sedentary Life style

7.      Heredity, Gender & Age

8.      Stress

 

Most of the above risk factors are modifiable and can be controlled.  Goal for Blood Pressure is to achieve BP readings of systolic<140/<90 diastolic, that for cholesterol of < 200mg/dl, HDL (so called good cholesterol) > 45 mg/dl, LDL (so called bad cholesterol) <100 mg/dl, Triglycerides of < 200mg/dl.  Among Asian Indians, Lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] also needs to be preferably below 22mg/dl.  Blood sugar should be maintained normally between 80-110 mg/dl.  Keeping the Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25 and participation in regular exercise program, yoga, exercises and meditation is very advantageous.  Taking vitamins such as Folic acid, B12 & B6 will help reduce homocysteine levels.

 

 

Will be continued …….

Back to Health Issues


Home