A chronic heart disease is one that lasts for a lifetime in that it can only be controlled, but not cured. Chronic ischemic heart disease refers to the terminal heart disease that is characterized by ischemia of the cardiac muscle. Once the heart muscle dies, it can’t be brought back to life to restore its normal function.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

The coronary arteries ensure an adequate supply of blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to the heart tissues. However, the narrowing or blockage of these vessels can compromise their normal function. Cholesterol and fats among other materials can get deposited on the walls of the coronary arteries through a process called atherosclerosis. That can narrow or block the vessels, compromising blood supply to the parts of the heart supplied by the affected coronary artery. Once the cardiac muscle fails to get oxygen, it automatically undergoes ischemia. That leads to ischemic heart disease. The disease becomes chronic if healing is impossible.

Treatment of Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

The disease presents just like coronary heart disease; hence its treatment is similar to the very heart disease. Treatment of the disease is always skewed towards symptomatic managementement should be put at the forefront. That includes eating heart healthy diets, doing physical exercises and avoiding alcohol intake and smoking.