What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also referred to as Ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease (CHD), occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood, become narrow or blocked due to plaque buildup. This plaque buildup can limit the blood flow to the heart, and if a blood clot is formed as a result, it can cause a heart attack by blocking the blood flow completely. Often, people with CAD may not experience any symptoms for several years until a heart attack occurs.
Forms of coronary artery disease:
There exist 2 main forms of this type of disease, namely acute coronary syndrome and stable ischemic heart disease.
Acute coronary syndrome:
An acute coronary syndrome is a medical emergency, that is, it comes all of a sudden. The blood clot is suddenly formed by the sudden rupture of the plaque in the coronary artery which blocks the blood flow to the human heart without notice.
Heart attack is hence caused by this abrupt blockage. Stable ischemic heart disease is a chronic form of coronary artery disease. The narrowing of the coronary arteries happens over several years of time. The oxygen-rich blood is gradually cut off from reaching the human heart over time and the person might be able to live with the condition day-to-day even after feeling some symptoms.
With over 18 million adults affected by coronary artery disease in the United States, it is a very common one. Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City are the main constituents of this combined population of patients affected by coronary artery disease.
Heart attack is the main complication caused by coronary artery disease. Due to the inability of oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart, the muscles present in the heart start to die which can prove to be fatal. In order to save the life of the patient the patient needs prompt medical attention to restore the blood flow to his or her heart. Heart failure, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest and arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation are some of the complications that can be caused due to the canning of the heart by coronary artery disease.
For a very long time the patient might have no noticeable symptoms of coronary artery disease. Generally considered to be a chronic condition, it takes decades or many years for the plaque to build up in the heart, causing coronary artery disease.
Mild symptoms might become noticeable once the arteries narrow down. The hardship that the heart faces to pump and deliver oxygen-rich blood to the human body can be reflected by the symptoms of the arteries narrowing down. Shortness of breath known as dyspnea and stable angina are some of the symptoms of chronic coronary artery disease.
Dyspnea is a condition when some patients feel short of breath during light physical activities. Stable angina is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease which comes and goes in a predictable pattern and stays as a temporary chest pain or discomfort.
Emotional distress and physical activities is a usual time when the patient can notice this chest pain or discomfort.
Nicorandil is a medicine that treats angina and can be consumed when this discomfort or pain happens. This pain can also go when the patient takes rest.
Nicorandil
Used for the treatment of angina, nicorandil is a vasodilatory drug. Episodes of transient myocardial ischemia result in chest pain which is called angina. Diseases such as aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis cause this chest pain. Vasospasm of the coronary arteries gives rise to angina.
Nicorandil is a medication that is used to treat angina (chest pain) and heart failure. It belongs to a class of drugs known as hybrid drugs, which means it has properties of both nitrates and potassium channel activators. By relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow, nicorandil helps to relieve chest pain caused by angina. Additionally, it helps to improve the function of the heart and reduce the workload on the heart, which makes it useful in the treatment of heart failure.
It is usually taken as a tablet, either once or twice a day, depending on the prescription. Common side effects of the medication include headache, dizziness, flushing, and stomach problems such as nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea.
Inclusive of the increased Rho Kinase activity, the increase in the smooth muscle contraction involved in the coronary vasospasm is caused by multiple mechanisms. Myosin phosphatase activity is inhibited by the increased levels of Rho kinase which reduces the concentration level of nitric oxide. Spastic coronary arteries contain low levels of nitric oxide. The spastic vascular smooth muscle cells in increased by the L-type calcium channel expression which could result in hypercontraction and an excessive influx of calcium. The medical use of Nicorandil was approved in 1983 after it was patented in 1976.
Nicorandil and its use for therapeutic treatment of coronary artery (preventing angina)
Used to prevent or treat angina pectoris (heart-related chest pain) in adults who cannot take beta-blockers (blood pressure-lowering pills), Nicorandil belongs to a class of medication called ‘vasodilators’.
Rising due to decreased blood flow to the heart, angina pectoris is a kind of chest pain recognized as a symptom of coronary artery disease. Used to open potassium channels present in the muscle cells within the walls of blood vessels and relax these muscle cells and widen the blood vessels, the medication contains Nicorandil, a potassium-channel activator. By making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, NICORANDIL reduces the heart’s workload and at the same time, does not require much oxygen. By increasing oxygen and blood supply to the heart muscle by widening coronary arteries within the heart and helps to prevent angina.
Nicorandil should be taken as per the prescription of a medical expert or a doctor. Best on the patient’s medical condition, the patient is advised to take Nicorandil for as long as the doctor or a medical expert has prescribed it to them. Uneven, fast, or forceful heartbeat, flushing or reddening of the skin, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and headache are some of the effects that people might experience with the consumption of nicorandil.
These side effects caused by the consumption of Nicorandil gradually resolve over time and most of the time, do not require medical attention. However, a doctor or medical expert, or pharmacist should be always consulted if the side effects have a heavy toll on the patient or persist over a long period of time.
The doctor should be informed beforehand if the patient is allergic to nicorandil or any other medications before he prescribes the medicine to the patient. As the safety and effectiveness of Nicorandil have not been certified yet it is not recommended for use in treating children.
Thus, the consumption of nicorandil should be avoided before driving or the patient should drive only if he or she is fully alert. Severe low levels of blood pressure might be an effect of the consumption of nicorandil and consumption of alcohol should be avoided while undergoing treatment with the consumption of Nicorandil. Blood pressure is also affected when riociguat, tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil are consumed while the prescribed dose of Nicorandil is ongoing.
FAQ
- How common is coronary artery disease?
With over 18 million adults affected by coronary artery disease in the United States, it is a very common one. Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City are the main constituents of this combined population of patients affected by coronary artery disease.
- When do the symptoms of coronary artery disease become noticeable?
For a very long time the patient might have no noticeable symptoms of coronary artery disease. Generally considered to be a chronic condition, it takes decades or many years for the plaque to build up in the heart, causing coronary artery disease. Mild symptoms might become noticeable once the arteries narrow down.
- What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?
Shortness of breath known as dyspnea and stable angina are some of the symptoms of chronic coronary artery disease. Dyspnea is a condition when some patients feel short of breath during light physical activities. Stable angina is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease which comes and goes in a predictable pattern and stays as a temporary chest pain or discomfort. Emotional distress and physical activities is a usual time when the patient can notice this chest pain or discomfort. Nicorandil is a medicine that treats angina and can be consumed when this discomfort or pain happens. This pain can also go when the patient takes rest.
- How does coronary artery disease affect my body?
Heart attack is the main complication caused by coronary artery disease. Due to the inability of oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart, the muscles present in the heart start to die which can prove to be fatal. In order to save the life of the patient the patient needs prompt medical attention to restore the blood flow to his or her heart. Heart failure, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest and arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation are some of the complications that can be caused due to the We canning of the heart by coronary artery disease.
- What are the main tests that can be run to test if a patient has coronary artery disease?
Cardiac catheterisation and angiogram, heart CT scan, nuclear stress test, exercise stress test, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram which is known as ECG or EKG are some of the tests that can be run to help diagnose or monitor coronary artery disease.
- What are the most common ways to treat coronary artery disease?
Ranolazine, nitroglycerin, angiotensin converting enzyme also known as (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, Aspirin and cholesterol drugs are some of the drugs available in the market to treat coronary artery disease. Nicorandil is a potassium channel activator which can be used to treat coronary artery disease.
- What are the side effects that the patient should be aware of while taking Nicorandil?
Uneven, fast, or forceful heartbeat, flushing or reddening of the skin, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and headache are some of the effects that people might experience with the consumption of nicorandil. These side effects caused by the consumption of Nicorandil gradually resolve over time and most of the time, do not require medical attention. However, a doctor or medical expert, or pharmacist should be always consulted if the side effects have a heavy toll on the patient or persist over a long period of time.
