Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease or Ischaemic heart disease, is the leading cause of death in Malaysia. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, 13.7% out of 157,251 medically verified deaths in 2022 are caused by CAD, just below the mortality number due to COVID-19 infection (Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2022).
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
This condition occurs when your coronary arteries, which are responsible for delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to your heart muscle, become narrowed. This narrowing can be caused by various factors, including a blood clot or atherosclerosis, a process where plaque builds up in your arteries. This plaque, made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances, restricts the flow of blood to your heart muscle. If this blockage becomes severe and blood flow is completely halted, the heart muscle cells can be seriously affected, leading to a heart attack, or as it’s scientifically termed, a myocardial infarction (MI). It’s important to recognize the role you play in maintaining your heart health and taking steps to reduce your risk of coronary artery disease (Institute of Medicine Committee on Social Security Cardiovascular Disability, 2010).
What causes Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
The development of coronary artery disease has been believed as the result of both lifestyle and genetic factors. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, dietary habits, exercise, and alcohol consumption play a significant role in CAD development (Brown et al., 2020). Smoking, in particular, is notorious for causing arterial damage, inflammation, and increased blood pressure (Kondo et al., 2019). However, genetics also play a crucial role, with recent studies revealing over 200 specific gene variants associated with CAD risk. The heritability of CAD is estimated to range between 40 and 50%, emphasizing the importance of understanding your genetic predisposition to this condition (McPherson & Tybjaerg-Hansen, 2016). As a result, advancements in genetic sequencing have allowed scientists to identify these common gene variants, offering valuable insights into one’s risk of developing CAD.
Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) preventable?
The good news is that CAD is largely preventable and manageable. Here are some key strategies to keep your heart healthy:
- Primary Prevention
Early recognition of risk factors plays a vital role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with CAD. SuperDNA Complete DNA test and Ultimate DNA test helps to identify your genetic predisposition of CAD and other cardiovascular diseases, highlight any high genetic risk and provide personalized recommendation. Important to discuss with your physician for any decision that should be taken if you have the signs and symptoms of CAD.
- Diet
Observational studies of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, which are rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and limiting food that are high in fat and sugar, has found that the approach to be associated with lower risk of CAD and myocardial infarction (Tyson et al., 2012). If you are found to have high risk of CAD from genetic screening, that’s not the end of the story. You may modify your food intake and/or lifestyle.
- Physical activity and weight loss
Physical activity is also equally beneficial for CAD risk reduction. At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activities and greater than 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity physical activities are helpful to reduce your risk for CAD. Other recommendations include annual calculation of BMI, and lifestyle modification, including calorie restriction and weight loss, based on the BMI values (Regmi & Siccardi, 2023).
By being aware of the risk factors, identifying the symptoms, and taking preventative action, you can greatly lower the chance of developing CAD.
Remember, your heart is worth the effort – keep it beating strong and steady.
