REPORT: CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD)
ASYA SALEH SHERMAN
YEAR 10
CORONARY HEART DISEASE;
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition where the coronary arteries, which supply
blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of fatty deposits.
This reduces blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, or other
serious heart problems.
Coronary heart disease occurs in different stages;
STAGE ONE
The artery has a wide, clear lumen
with smooth, elastic walls. Blood can
flow freely without any obstruction.
At this point, there is no disease
present. The artery is functioning
normally, supplying oxygen-rich
blood to the heart muscle. The
endothelium is healthy and smooth,
preventing any substances from
sticking to it.
This is the ideal state of the coronary
arteries. Good diet, exercise, and
avoiding smoking help maintain this
condition and prevent heart disease
from starting.
STAGE TWO
Atherosclerosis is a disease where
plaque, a buildup of fats, cholesterol,
and other substances, builds up
inside the walls of arteries, leading to
narrowing and potentially blockage of
blood flow
Yellowish fatty deposits (fatty
streaks) start forming on the inner
walls of the artery.
This is the early stage of
atherosclerosis (main cause of
CHD). Cholesterol, starts to collect
inside the artery wall. In response,
the body sends white blood cells
to try to remove the cholesterol,
but they get stuck and turn into
foam cells, forming the streaks.
At this stage, there are usually no
symptoms, but the disease has
started. If the buildup continues, it
can lead to more serious blockage
over time.
STAGE THREE
The fatty deposits grow into larger plaques,
reducing the size of the artery's inner space. The
artery walls also become thicker and less flexible.
What’s happening inside:
The plaque contains fats, cholesterol, dead cells, and sometimes calcium, which hardens the
artery. This narrowing limits the amount of oxygen-rich blood reaching the heart muscle. The
heart has to work harder to get enough oxygen, especially during physical activity or stress.
Symptoms:



chest pain
Shortness of breath
Constant Fatigue
This is a dangerous stage. If not treated with medication, lifestyle changes, or procedures,
the plaque may continue to grow
STAGE FOUR
Symptoms:




Severe chest pain or pressure (may spread to
arm, neck, or jaw)
Sweating
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting or sudden weakness
This is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment is
needed to restore blood flow and prevent permanent
heart damage or death.
The plaque breaks open, and a
blood clot forms on top of it, fully
blocking the artery.
The body sees the open plaque as
an injury and tries to heal it by
forming a clot. But in a coronary
artery, this clot can completely
block blood flow to part of the
heart muscle. Without oxygen, the
heart muscle starts to die—this is a
heart attack
 Coronary heart disease does not occur naturally, it develops over time due to controllable and
non – controllable risk factors ;
1. Unhealthy Diet
Eating foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt causes fat and cholesterol to build up inside
your arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to reach your heart,
which can lead to CHD.
2. Lack of Exercise
Not exercising enough means your heart and blood vessels don’t stay strong and healthy. This
can lead to weight gain, higher blood pressure, and bad cholesterol levels—all increasing the
chance of CHD.
3. Smoking
Cigarette smoke damages the lining of your arteries and increases the buildup of fatty deposits. It
also reduces oxygen in your blood, forcing your heart to work harder and raising your risk of
heart disease.
4. High Blood Pressure
When your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries. This can damage them
and make it easier for fat and cholesterol to stick and form plaques, which block blood flow to
the heart.
5. High Cholesterol
Too much “bad” cholesterol in your blood causes sticky plaques to form inside your artery walls.
These plaques narrow the arteries and slow blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks.
6. Diabetes
High blood sugar damages your blood vessels and makes the walls thicker and stiffer. This
speeds up the formation of plaques and raises the risk of CHD.
7. Obesity (Being Very Overweight)
Carrying extra weight puts more pressure on your heart and increases the chance of developing
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes—all major risk factors for CHD.
8. Family History (genetic predisposition)
If close family members (parents or siblings) had heart disease early in life, your risk is higher
because you may inherit genes that affect how your heart and arteries work.
CHOLESTROL
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in the blood and cells. It is important because it helps build cell
membranes and makes some hormones.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
 Low-Density Lipoprotein
(LDL) — known as “bad
cholesterol.” It carries
cholesterol to the arteries,
where it can build up and form
plaques that block blood flow.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
— known as “good cholesterol.” It
carries cholesterol away from the
arteries back to the liver, where it is
removed from the body.
Having too much LDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, while HDL helps protect
the heart by removing excess cholesterol.
 CHD can be prevented via various ways, which include:
Here are some simple and effective ways to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD):
1. Exercise regularly
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, most days of the
week to keep your heart strong.
2. Avoid smoking
Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke because smoking damages your arteries and
heart.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Keep your body weight in a healthy range to reduce strain on your heart.
4. Control blood pressure
Check your blood pressure regularly and follow your doctor’s advice to keep it in a
healthy range.
5. Manage cholesterol levels
Eat healthy foods and, if needed, take medication to keep bad cholesterol (LDL) low and
good cholesterol (HDL) high.
6. Limit alcohol intake
Drink alcohol only in small amounts, as too much can increase blood pressure and harm
your heart.
7. Reduce stress
Try to manage stress through relaxation techniques, hobbies, or talking to someone you
trust.
8. Eat a healthy diet
Choose foods low in saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and lean proteins.
REFERENCE:
 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc20350613
 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/
 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)