Ischemic heart disease is a pathological condition of the cardiovascular system. Damage to the coronary vessels causes absolute or partial disruption of blood supply to the myocardium. Thus, a mismatch arises between the heart's oxygen needs and its actual supply.
Causes of ischemic heart disease
The heart is supplied with blood by the coronary arteries. These are the only arteries that nourish the heart. When they are blocked, there is a deficiency of nutrients, and ischemic heart disease begins. The basis for the blockage of the coronary arteries is atherosclerosis. It is characterized by the deposition of cholesterol plaques that block the lumen of the vessel. When ruptured, the plaques can completely occlude the vessel lumen; this can lead to death
Diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in Israel
Patients most often complain of:
- Chest pain that worsens with increased physical exertion or during stressful situations;
- Shortness of breath;
- Palpitations – irregular heartbeats;
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
After a consultation with a top cardiologist at the Ichilov clinic, the patient must undergo a series of diagnostic tests:
- Blood tests (complete blood count, blood sugar test, lipid profile, creatinine and urea levels in the blood)
- Measurement of the patient's blood pressure
- Chest X-ray – to assess the size and shape of the heart, as well as to identify lung pathology
- Resting electrocardiogram
- Continuous 24-hour ECG monitoring;
- Exercise ECG – to determine the degree of CAD
- Echo-cardiogram
- Coronary angiography – a minimally invasive X-ray contrast study, performed by inserting a catheter into the femoral artery. With its help, experienced doctors at the Ichilov clinic identify the location and extent of vessel damage.
Treatment of ischemic heart disease in Israel
The conservative method includes medication therapy:
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) – an anti-aggregant and anti-inflammatory agent. Reduces the likelihood of thrombosis in the coronary artery. Frequent use can cause stomach ulcers
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers – reduce blood pressure by dilating coronary vessels
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors – increase blood flow due to the dilation of blood vessels.
In cases of disease progression and worsening, the cardiac surgeons at the Ichilov clinic, who have many years of experience and have trained at leading clinics worldwide, will offer surgical procedures for the treatment of ischemic heart disease in Israel:
- Coronary angioplasty. The principle is similar to coronary angiography. After the catheter reaches the coronary artery, another, thinner catheter is released. The end of the thin catheter is equipped with a balloon that inflates upon reaching the blockage, thereby widening the vessel and increasing blood flow. A blood clot is thus flattened in the artery lumen;
- Coronary artery bypass grafting. After determining the site of artery blockage, it is "bypassed" through other blood vessels, for example, through the internal mammary artery;
- Transmyocardial laser revascularization. Preferred for patients suffering from ischemic heart disease with undesirable invasive methods. A laser catheter creates several punctures in the heart muscle, stimulating the formation of new blood vessels.