Did you know? More than 430,000 Thais suffer from heart and coronary artery diseases, and over 20,000 die from heart disease each year. As the average lifespan increases, the incidence of heart disease continues to rise. Our heart is an organ that works continuously without rest. It must beat or pump blood 60-100 times per minute, 24 hours a day, every day. Therefore, the heart naturally deteriorates with age and time. But that’s not all… genetics and behaviors also increase the risk of heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, which is considered a silent threat that must be watched out for.
Why are more Thais developing coronary artery disease?
Nowadays, our lifestyle has changed, especially for city dwellers who live a fast-paced life, eat quickly, and often consume high-fat foods. Some also party frequently, smoke, drink alcohol, and get little rest, unaware that these behaviors significantly increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol, which cause blood vessels to deteriorate and narrow more easily.
Coronary artery disease is currently the most common heart disease because excessive fat consumption leads to leftover fat in the bloodstream that the body cannot use up. Especially harmful fats with low density (Small LDL), also known as “bad cholesterol”, including trans fats found in baked goods, margarine, non-dairy creamers, and fast food cooked in reused oil.
Fat VS Calcium in Coronary Arteries
When cholesterol accumulates in the bloodstream in large amounts, the body tries to eliminate it by sending white blood cells to break down the fat molecules. This causes fat to accumulate along the blood vessel walls. Normally, blood vessels are red, allowing blood to flow smoothly. But when fat builds up, the vessel walls turn yellow. The body then tries to cover the irritating fat deposits with connective tissue to prevent the vessels from rupturing, similar to scab formation on wounds. When blood vessels heal, the body uses calcium to seal the cracks. The more fat present, the more irritated the vessels become, leading to increased calcium deposits in the arteries.
No warning signs, and before you know it, “Coronary Artery Narrowing” has occurred
When calcium builds up in the arteries, narrowing does not happen immediately. The body first responds by expanding the vessel (positive remodeling) before eventually narrowing over a period of about 10 years. Most people only realize when the arteries are significantly narrowed and symptoms appear, or in the worst case, when a sudden heart attack occurs. When coronary arteries narrow, blood pressure rises throughout the body because the heart must work harder to pump blood. If left untreated, this can cause the heart to enlarge and may lead to brain hemorrhage due to high blood pressure.
Detect calcium in coronary arteries early with CT Calcium Score
If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, smoke regularly, or have a family history of early heart disease, you should undergo regular heart disease screening. If you do not have these risk factors, a Calcium Score test can help detect hidden risks and guide treatment or lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of future coronary artery disease. The Calcium Score test uses a CT scan to examine the coronary arteries, which are normally about 3-4 millimeters in diameter and have a smooth surface. The test results are given as a numerical score. A Calcium Score above 400 indicates a greater than 20% chance of a heart event occurring within the next 10 years.
Know early… just change your behavior to reduce risk
Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries can be initially treated with medication, but the most important thing you can do is control “cholesterol” by reducing LDL fat intake and increasing HDL fat, which helps remove bad fats from the arteries. HDL also helps inhibit oxidation, inflammation, and blood clotting, thereby reducing the risk of coronary artery narrowing in the future.
“Our blood vessels cannot be changed or repaired; therefore, reducing risk factors is crucial.
Otherwise, not only coronary arteries but calcium deposits can occur in other blood vessels throughout the body as well.”
