Ischemic heart disease is a serious medical condition. If diagnosed with the disease, you can manage the symptoms and also live longer. However, the question of how long can you live with ischemic heart disease depends heavily on the treatment, lifestyle choices, and general health status. We will look at the factors that determine the longevity of those with ischemic heart disease.
Life expectancy with ischemic heart disease varies from person to person, often depending on a combination of factors. One of the most critical aspects is the severity of the disease itself.
Individuals with mild ischemic heart disease symptoms may experience few complications compared to those with severe symptoms. These symptoms and how well the person manages them will determine how long the person can stay with IHD.
What Is Ischemic Heart Disease?
Ischemic heart disease is a condition that occurs when the blood flow to the heart reduces due to a blockage in the arteries. A blockage in heart arteries arises from plaque accumulation that prevents oxygen-rich blood from getting to the heart muscles. The insufficient blood oxygen supply creates the condition of angina or could result in a heart attack.
Causes of Ischemic Heart Disease
Different aspects can cause IHD. Here are the main contributors:
1. Atherosclerosis
The primary cause of ischemic heart disease is atherosclerosis. It develops when fatty deposits, or plaques, accumulate on the walls of the coronary arteries. The plaques in arteries grow to affect blood flow and cause gradual artery constriction.
2. High Blood Pressure
Chronic high blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. It can damage the arteries, with this, it increases vulnerability to atherosclerosis. Also, the damage reduces artery blood flow, and raises the possibility of suffering from ischemic heart disease.
3. High Cholesterol Levels
Artery plaque occurs because LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol maintains excessive levels in the bloodstream. High cholesterol levels elevate the risk of atherosclerosis.
4. Diabetes
IHD develops at higher rates among individuals with diabetes. High blood sugar levels will damage blood vessels and cause plaque to accumulate more. In addition, Type 2 diabetes, conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol intensify the cardiovascular risks.
5. Smoking
Arterial heart disease happens most frequently in individuals who smoke tobacco products. The substance damages the blood vessel lining and simultaneously accelerates plaque formation.
Smoke causes blood oxygen levels to decrease, which makes the heart function less effectively.
6. Sedentary Lifestyle
A lack of physical exercise triggers obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
7. Unhealthy Diet
Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, and processed sugars can lead to ischemic heart problems.
Symptoms of Ischemic Heart Disease
Doctors manage diagnosis through standard methods for identifying this condition by using these main symptoms.
Chest Pain (Angina)
One of the main indicators of a heart attack is chest pain. The discomfort can appear during exercise or when a person maintains a stationary position.
The symptoms of angina last for some minutes. When it happens, you should rest or take your prescribed drugs.
Shortness of Breath
Individuals may experience breathing problems because the heart does not distribute adequate blood supply. Sometimes, the person may have shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Fatigue
When the heart does not receive sufficient blood supply, it can cut energy levels, thereby making the patient to feel weak.
Heart Palpitations
Some person’s may notice heart palpitations. Reduced blood flow causes the heart to work poorly, so it produces irregular heartbeats.
How Long Can You Live With Ischemic Heart Disease?
There is no fixed period a person can live with ischemic Heart disease. However, people with stable IHD without major complications can survive 10–20 years or longer through proper medical care. In addition, early detection and a healthy diet can make you live a normal life.
Factors that determine how long you can live with ischemic heart disease
1. Early Detection
Prompt detection of IHD l can protect against heart attacks and increase one’s life expectancy.
2. Severity of the disease
Blockages progress from minor to major levels among patients with IHD. People with mild symptoms may live longer; this isn’t the case for those in advanced stages.
3. Other Health Conditions
Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and kidney disease can worsen IHD. So, if you have other health complications, the lower the chances of living more than 10 years.
Treatment Options
To manage and treat IHD, patients must adhere to their doctor’s advice. Skipping pills or ignoring symptoms could shorten your lifespan.
Diagnosis for Ischemic Heart Disease
1. Physical Exam
To diagnose heart disease, a healthcare provider conducts a thorough physical examination to collect information about patient symptoms like family history and lifestyle patterns.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Through ECG testing, doctors obtain heart electric activity, that shows possible changes in heart rhythms or signs of prior heart damage.
3. Stress Testing
A physician uses stress test method to monitor the condition of the heart during physical exercise. Also, the doctor observes heart function as patients exercise on treadmills or stationary bicycles.
4. Imaging Studies
Medical imaging techniques like echocardiography and nuclear imaging help doctors view specific heart images to ascertain if anything is obstructing the flow of blood.
5. Coronary Angiography
Doctors use this procedure to examine coronary arteries through X-ray imaging. To do this, they inject a contrast dye into the coronary arteries.
Tips That Can Help You Live Longer with Ischemic Heart Disease
1. Quit Smoking
Smoking can only worsen your heart condition. So, if you smoke, you must quit now.
2. Eat a Heart-Friendly Diet
Focus on vegetables, lean protein, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. Cut back on sodium, sugar, and processed foods.
3. Exercise Often
Regular exercise helps in blood circulation. Exercises like walking for 30 minutes enhance blood circulation, reduce cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
3. Take Your Medications
Most times, doctors prescribe beta-blockers, aspirin, and ACE inhibitors. Do not fail to take your medications as your doctor recommends.
4. Control Stress
Stress increases inflammation and blood pressure. Do deep breathing practice, mindfulness or hobbies that promote mental and heart health.
5 Go for a checkup
Check your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar regularly and maintain them within the suggested levels.
Read also: Importance Of Regular Health Check-ups And Screenings
Can Surgery Improve Life Expectancy?
In some cases, yes. However, it happens after patients have exhausted all non-surgical treatment options. Surgery here requires angioplasty, and stent insertion to restore blocked arteries.
The surgical procedure of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) performs a vessel redirection to bypass obstructed blood vessels.
Note that these procedures don’t cure IHD but provide relief from symptoms and may extend your life, especially if you are at high risk for heart attack.
FAQs
Q. Can you live 20 years with ischemic heart disease?
A. Yes. With proper treatment, regular monitoring, and healthy choices, you can live up to 20 years or more.
Q. Does ischemic heart disease always lead to heart failure?
A. Not in all patients. If diagnosed early and properly managed, many people never develop heart failure.
Q. At what age do people get ischemic heart disease?
A. It often appears after age 45 in men and 55 in women, but it can develop earlier in some cases.
Q. Can ischemic heart disease go away?
A. Although there is no permanent cure, symptoms can improve with lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes surgery.
Q. How serious is this condition?
A. It is serious but manageable. If you notice any strange symptoms, go for heart testing.
Final Thoughts
Each patient faces a different experience when dealing with ischemic heart disease. However, anyone diagnosed with the disease can live longer depending on the severity of the disease.
In some persons, they can live more than 20 years. It requires proper management and a healthy lifestyle.
