What is the course of a CHD?
Coronary artery disease can have different courses. The most common symptom is chest pain (angina pectoris), which occurs in attacks. Other non-specific symptoms can be of varying degrees, such as shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure, an elevated pulse, skin pallor, nausea, sweating or pain in the upper abdomen.
In the case of CHD, the symptoms may even be completely absent, in which case one speaks of CHD with silent myocardial ischemia. This form often occurs in older patients and diabetics. In the classic course of CHD, the symptoms only occur in the early stages when the heart‘s oxygen demand is increased, i.e. during exercise or stress.
If the disease progresses and the vessels deteriorate, the symptoms may occur more frequently. If coronary artery disease is left untreated, serious complications can occur, such as heart failure and the dreaded heart attack. In the context of a dangerous heart attack, all forms of cardiac dysrhythmia can occur, which can be fatal. In the chronic course of the CHD after an expired infarct, those affected suffer from cardiac insufficiency (cardiac insufficiency) and recurring dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. In order to positively influence the course and prognosis, it is important to diagnose coronary heart disease as early as possible and to provide targeted therapy.
Is it allowed to do sports with a KHK?
Patients with coronary artery disease can and should exercise. A lack of exercise is a risk factor for the development and progression of coronary heart disease. If you exercise regularly and sufficiently, you slow down the worsening of the disease and complications such as heart failure and heart attack.
Endurance sports are well suited for those affected, for example cycling, walking, jogging or swimming. It is recommended to perform these activities initially at low to moderate intensity. Strength training can also be done to build up individual muscle groups.The intensity and frequency of the training should be discussed with the treating physician beforehand. Less suitable for patients with coronary heart disease are ball sports, as the players quickly become “too ambitious” and want to reach the balls at all costs, even if they overexert themselves.
