Part 2: Arteriosclerosis, Medication, and Home First Aid: Key Knowledge for Protecting Your Heart

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis refers to the deposition of fat on the walls of arteries. Because the inner lining of the artery is yellowish-white and resembles rice porridge, it is called atherosclerosis.

The deposition of these lipids thickens the arterial walls and reduces their elasticity, thus hardening the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

When atherosclerosis occurs in small and medium-sized blood vessels, the hardened arteries become narrowed or blocked, causing ischemia in the tissues supplied by these arteries.

Depending on the location of the lesion, the symptoms will vary. If it occurs in the cerebral blood vessels, it is called cerebral arteriosclerosis or cerebral infarction; if it occurs in the coronary arteries of the heart, it is called coronary artery atherosclerosis, i.e., coronary heart disease; and if it occurs in the renal arteries, it is called renal artery atherosclerosis.

Why should nitroglycerin be taken sublingually?

Nitroglycerin is a fast-acting vasodilator that can rapidly dilate spasmodic and narrowed blood vessels in a short period of time to improve myocardial blood supply, reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, and relieve pain. It is currently a very effective drug for the treatment of angina pectoris.

Because nitroglycerin is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract after oral administration, and 90% is inactivated in the liver, the effective dosage is reduced, the efficacy is decreased, and it cannot relieve symptoms in angina pectoris.

Therefore, when angina occurs, nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue immediately. Nitroglycerin is directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the capillaries of the oral mucosa without passing through the liver. The drug takes effect very quickly within 2 to 3 minutes and can effectively relieve symptoms.

How to provide first aid for angina and myocardial infarction patients at home

When a family member experiences angina, do not panic. Immediately give the patient one nitroglycerin tablet sublingually.

If oxygen is available, the patient should be given oxygen immediately and observed for 3-5 minutes. If the symptoms do not improve and the patient develops symptoms such as profuse sweating, paleness, and rapid breathing, the possibility of myocardial infarction should be considered. Family members should immediately call 120 (the national emergency number) and loosen the patient's collar to ensure unobstructed breathing.

If possible, blood pressure should be measured and the heart rate and rhythm per minute recorded for reference when the doctor arrives.

If a patient experiences a drop in blood pressure, a rapid and weak pulse, loss of consciousness, apathy, or even coma before a doctor arrives, artificial respiration and chest compressions should be performed immediately to increase the chances of rescue.

The specific method is as follows: Tilt the patient's head back so that the angle of the patient's jaw is perpendicular to the ground, remove the contents from the mouth, pinch the patient's nostrils closed, cover the patient's mouth with your own mouth, and forcefully blow two breaths into the patient's mouth. Then, press down vertically with both hands 15 times at the lower 1/3 of the sternum. Blow two more breaths into the patient's mouth, and then press down on the external chest compression point 15 times. Repeat this process until emergency medical personnel arrive.

What should patients with coronary heart disease pay attention to in their daily lives?

1. Patients should be aware of the warning signs of myocardial infarction.

2. When going out, carry emergency medications with you, usually quick-acting nitroglycerin or quick-acting heart pills.

3. Every member of the family should have first aid knowledge, know how to use first aid medicines, and be familiar with the location of first aid medicines in the home.

4. First aid medications should be placed in a visible and easily accessible location.

5. Replace nitroglycerin tablets once a year to prevent them from becoming ineffective.

6. Patients with coronary heart disease should not sleep alone in a room, so that no one will know if an emergency occurs.

7. Engage in appropriate physical labor and exercise, but avoid overexertion.

8. Maintain an optimistic attitude and avoid getting angry or impatient.

9. Avoid overeating, do not take a bath immediately after meals, and pay attention to preventing constipation.

10. Adopt a light diet and abstain from smoking and alcohol.

Prevention of coronary heart disease

Reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease and improve the quality of life for middle-aged and elderly people.

Reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease is an important measure for its prevention.

1. Control high blood lipids and maintain a balanced diet.

An important condition for preventing and treating arteriosclerosis is controlling calorie intake and limiting the intake of fat and cholesterol.

A diet that is light (vegetables and fruits), rich in protein and vitamins (lean meat, fish, beans, etc.), low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, and salt is beneficial for maintaining an ideal weight.

2. Control diabetes

In normal individuals, fat metabolism is in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Ingested fat is digested and absorbed, converted into energy, water, and carbon dioxide, and some of it is stored as fat.

When diabetes occurs, lipid metabolism is disrupted, leading to increased levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, with the main pathological change being arteriosclerosis.

The incidence of coronary heart disease in diabetic patients is much higher than in normal people, accounting for more than 70% of deaths in diabetic patients.

This shows that lipid metabolism disorder in diabetes is an important factor in arteriosclerosis.

Controlling diabetes is crucial for preventing arteriosclerosis.

3. Appropriate physical labor and exercise

The incidence of coronary heart disease is related to occupation.

People in occupations with little physical activity, high mental intensity, and a sense of urgency are more susceptible to this disease. The mortality rate among those with low physical activity levels is about 7.9 times that of those with high physical activity levels.

Regular physical exercise, such as walking, doing calisthenics, practicing Tai Chi, practicing Qigong, playing gateball, and gardening, can promote fat metabolism, lower blood lipids and cholesterol, promote collateral circulation in the coronary arteries, and improve myocardial blood supply.

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