Depression life satisfaction and coping strategies in patients with coronary heart disease

Depression, life satisfaction and coping strategies among coronary heart disease patients".

Introduction:

Coronary heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually

caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (sometimes called "hardening" or "clogging" of the

arteries) is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits (called plaques) on the

inner walls or the arteries. These plaques can restrict blood llow to the heart muscle by

physically clogging the artery or by causing abnonnal artery tone and function.

Without an adequate blood supply, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital

nutrients it needs lo work properly. This can cause chest pain called angina. If

blood supply to a portion or the heart muscle is cul off entirely, or if the energy demands or

the heart become much greater than its blood supply, a heart attack (injury to the

heart muscle) may occur.

Tt is most commonly equated with atherosclerotic coronmy artery disease, but coronary

disease can be due lo other, such as coronary vwm spasrn.W It is possible for the

stenosis to be caused by spasm.11J

Coronary artery disease, the most common type or coronary disease, which has no clear

etiology, has many risk factors, including smoking. radiotherapy to the chest,

hypertension, obesity. ' high alcohol consumption, lack of exercise,

inability to manage stress, and hyperlipidemia_Lll

Also, having a type A behavior pattern, a group or personality characteristics including

lime urgency and competitiveness, is linked lo an increased risk of coronary diseasew.

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease, affects about 14

million men and women in the United States.

Disease develops when a combination or !atty material, and scar tissue (plaque)

builds up in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Through these arteries, called the

coronarv arteries, the heart muscle (myocardium) gets the oxygen and other nutrients it

needs to pump blood.

- The plaque ollen narrows the artery so that the heart does not gel enough blood.

- This slowing of blood flow causes chest pain, or angina.

- ff plaque completely blocks blood flow, it may cause a heart attack (myocardial

infarction) or a fatal rhythm disturbance (sudden cardiac arrest).

- A major cause or death and disability, coronary heart disease claims more lives in the

United Stales than the next 7 leading causes or death combined,