How are IBS and GERD related. What are the common symptoms of these digestive conditions. Can lifestyle changes help manage both IBS and GERD symptoms. What foods should be avoided to reduce flare-ups. How do hormones impact IBS in women. Are there effective treatments for overlapping IBS and GERD.

The Basics of IBS and GERD: Defining Two Common Digestive Disorders

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) are two prevalent digestive disorders that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. While they affect different parts of the digestive system, these conditions often coexist, leading to increased discomfort and complexity in treatment.

IBS is a functional disorder affecting the large intestine, characterized by a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. On the other hand, GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux, where stomach acids flow back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and potential damage to the esophageal lining.

Key Characteristics of IBS

• Affects the large intestine (colon)
• Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea
• Does not cause inflammation or permanent damage to the colon
• Often exacerbated by stress
• More common in women

Defining Features of GERD

• Chronic form of acid reflux
• Affects the esophagus
• Main symptom is frequent heartburn
• Can cause long-term damage to esophageal tissues
• Often requires ongoing treatment to manage symptoms

The Overlap Between IBS and GERD: Exploring Common Mechanisms

Is there a connection between IBS and GERD? Research suggests that these two conditions often coexist, with many patients experiencing symptoms of both disorders. This overlap has led experts to investigate potential shared disease mechanisms.

One proposed mechanism is poor muscle function of the intestinal tract. Some researchers suspect that there may be an incoordination of the muscles lining the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, contributing to symptoms of both IBS and acid reflux. This muscular dysfunction could explain why some patients experience both upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Another interesting observation is that individuals with both IBS and GERD tend to report more sleep difficulties and episodes of abdominal pain compared to those with either condition alone. This suggests that the combination of these disorders may lead to more severe and widespread symptoms, affecting multiple aspects of a person’s life.

Potential Shared Mechanisms

1. Muscular dysfunction in the digestive tract
2. Heightened sensitivity to pain and discomfort
3. Altered gut-brain interaction
4. Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system

Triggers and Risk Factors: Identifying Common Culprits for IBS and GERD

Do IBS and GERD share common triggers? Indeed, many patients find that similar factors can exacerbate symptoms of both conditions. Understanding these triggers is crucial for effective management of both disorders.

Common Dietary Triggers

• Alcoholic beverages
• Caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea)
• Carbonated beverages
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits
• Fatty and fried foods
• Garlic and onions
• Spicy foods
• Tomato-based products
• High fructose corn syrup
• Certain sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol)

Are there non-dietary factors that can trigger symptoms? Yes, stress is a significant trigger for both IBS and GERD. Many patients report increased symptoms during periods of high stress or anxiety. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can influence symptom severity, especially for IBS.

Non-Dietary Triggers and Risk Factors

1. Stress and anxiety
2. Hormonal changes (especially in women)
3. Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality
4. Certain medications
5. Sedentary lifestyle

The Role of Hormones: Understanding the Gender Disparity in IBS

Why is IBS more common in women? Research suggests that hormones play a significant role in the development and exacerbation of IBS symptoms. Many women report that their IBS symptoms worsen during menstruation, further supporting the hormonal connection.

Estrogen and progesterone, the primary female sex hormones, can affect gut motility, pain sensitivity, and inflammation. These hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may contribute to the cyclical nature of IBS symptoms in many women.

Hormonal Influences on IBS

• Estrogen can affect gut motility and pain perception
• Progesterone may slow intestinal transit time
• Hormonal fluctuations can influence gut microbiome composition
• Stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) can exacerbate symptoms

Does this hormonal connection explain why women are more likely to have overlapping IBS and GERD? While more research is needed, the hormonal influence on IBS may contribute to the higher prevalence of both conditions in women. However, it’s important to note that GERD affects both genders more equally, suggesting that other factors are also at play in the overlap between these conditions.

Diagnostic Challenges: Differentiating Between IBS, GERD, and Other Conditions

Diagnosing IBS and GERD can be challenging, especially when symptoms overlap or mimic other conditions. How do healthcare providers distinguish between these disorders and ensure accurate diagnosis?

For IBS, diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and often ruling out other conditions through various tests. The Rome IV criteria are commonly used to diagnose IBS, which include recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation or changes in bowel habits.

GERD diagnosis usually involves a combination of symptom evaluation, endoscopy, and sometimes pH monitoring. In some cases, a trial of acid-suppressing medication may be used as a diagnostic tool.

Diagnostic Approaches for IBS and GERD

1. Detailed medical history and symptom assessment
2. Physical examination
3. Blood tests to rule out other conditions
4. Stool tests (for IBS)
5. Endoscopy (for GERD)
6. pH monitoring (for GERD)
7. Trial of medications

Can lactose intolerance be mistaken for IBS? Yes, lactose intolerance can present with symptoms similar to IBS, such as bloating, cramping, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products. To differentiate between the two, healthcare providers may recommend a lactose-free diet trial or lactose breath test.

Treatment Strategies: Managing Overlapping IBS and GERD Symptoms

What are the most effective approaches for treating overlapping IBS and GERD? Managing these co-occurring conditions often requires a multifaceted approach, addressing both upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Treatment strategies typically involve a combination of lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Stress management techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
• Regular exercise
• Improved sleep hygiene
• Smoking cessation
• Weight management (if overweight)

Dietary Approaches

• Identifying and avoiding trigger foods
• Following a low FODMAP diet (for IBS)
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoiding late-night eating (for GERD)
• Increasing fiber intake (for IBS-C)

Medications

Are there medications that can address both IBS and GERD symptoms? While no single medication treats both conditions comprehensively, some drugs may help manage overlapping symptoms. For example, certain antispasmodics used for IBS may also help reduce GERD symptoms by decreasing lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

1. Proton pump inhibitors (for GERD)
2. Antacids (for GERD)
3. Antispasmodics (for IBS)
4. Low-dose antidepressants (for pain management in IBS)
5. Probiotics (potential benefits for both conditions)

Can cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help manage both IBS and GERD? Yes, CBT has shown promise in managing symptoms of both conditions. By addressing stress, anxiety, and negative thought patterns, CBT can help patients better cope with their symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

The Gut-Brain Axis: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in IBS and GERD

How does the gut-brain axis influence IBS and GERD symptoms? The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract. This complex interaction plays a crucial role in the development and exacerbation of both IBS and GERD symptoms.

In IBS, the gut-brain axis is thought to be dysregulated, leading to heightened pain sensitivity and altered bowel habits. Stress and anxiety can amplify these effects, creating a vicious cycle of symptoms and emotional distress.

For GERD, the gut-brain axis may influence esophageal sensitivity and motility, potentially exacerbating reflux symptoms. Stress and anxiety can increase acid production and decrease the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening GERD symptoms.

Key Aspects of the Gut-Brain Axis in IBS and GERD

• Bidirectional communication between the brain and gut
• Influence on pain perception and motility
• Role in stress-induced symptom exacerbation
• Potential target for therapeutic interventions

Can targeting the gut-brain axis improve symptoms of both IBS and GERD? Emerging research suggests that interventions aimed at modulating the gut-brain axis may benefit patients with overlapping IBS and GERD. These approaches may include psychotherapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and certain medications that affect both central and enteric nervous systems.

Future Directions: Emerging Research and Potential Treatments

What does the future hold for patients with overlapping IBS and GERD? Ongoing research is exploring new avenues for understanding and treating these complex, interrelated conditions. Several promising areas of investigation may lead to improved management strategies and potentially even preventive measures.

Microbiome Research

How does the gut microbiome influence IBS and GERD? Scientists are increasingly recognizing the crucial role of the gut microbiome in digestive health. Alterations in the microbiome composition have been associated with both IBS and GERD. Future treatments may involve targeted probiotic therapies or other interventions to restore a healthy microbial balance.

Personalized Medicine

Can genetic testing help tailor treatments for IBS and GERD? As our understanding of the genetic factors influencing these conditions grows, personalized medicine approaches may become more prevalent. Genetic testing could help identify individual risk factors and guide more targeted treatment strategies.

Novel Pharmaceutical Approaches

• Drugs targeting specific neurotransmitters involved in gut-brain communication
• Medications to modulate gut motility and sensitivity
• New formulations of existing drugs with fewer side effects

Integrative Medicine

How can complementary therapies enhance traditional treatments for IBS and GERD? Integrative approaches combining conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies may offer more comprehensive symptom relief. These may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body interventions.

As research progresses, patients with overlapping IBS and GERD can look forward to more targeted, effective treatments that address the complex interplay between these conditions. By continuing to unravel the underlying mechanisms and explore innovative therapeutic approaches, the medical community aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by these challenging digestive disorders.

IBS and Acid Reflux: What’s the Connection?

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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

IBS and Acid Reflux

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine, or colon. Symptoms usually include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas. Other symptoms of IBS may include urgent bowel movements or the feeling of incomplete evacuation.

The bowel muscles that are responsible for moving food through the intestinal tract may contract more forcefully or more irregularly in patients with IBS. This pushes food through the system abnormally. If waste material moves too fast it can cause diarrhea. If it moves too slow it can cause constipation.

Although it may make you uncomfortable, IBS doesn’t cause inflammation, nor will it permanently damage the colon.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a disease that may cause significant damage to the tissues and cells of the esophagus over time. It’s the chronic form of acid reflux.

GERD occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus due to a poor-functioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a band of muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach.

The main symptom of both acid reflux and GERD is frequent heartburn. Other symptoms may include burning in the throat or a sour liquid taste in back of the mouth.

While occasional acid reflux is normal, GERD symptoms are persistent and typically require treatment to relieve symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.

IBS is classified as a functional disorder. This is a condition in which symptoms are real, but physiological causes aren’t easily identifiable. Although the causes of IBS are unknown, it’s frequently exacerbated by stress.

IBS also often accompanies GERD. This dual presentation suggests that the two conditions may share common disease mechanisms, but these are not well understood.

One mechanism may be poor muscle function of the intestinal tract. Some experts suspect there may be an incoordination of the muscles that line the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, contributing to symptoms of both IBS and acid reflux.

Another observation is that individuals with both IBS and GERD report more sleep difficulties and more episodes of abdominal pain than people who just have IBS or GERD alone.

However, IBS is a complicated condition and less well-understood than GERD. Experts believe there are a variety of individual, intestinal, and environmental factors that contribute to IBS. This makes the relationship between GERD and IBS even more complicated.

Different stimuli may trigger IBS symptoms in different people. For instance, in one person things like intestinal infection or medication may cause symptoms, while other people may react to certain foods or stress.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from IBS. Often, women will find that IBS symptoms are worse during menstruation. This has led researchers to believe that hormones may play a role in the development of IBS.

Perhaps not surprisingly, IBS and acid reflux are often triggered by the same kinds of foods. Those suffering from one or both conditions may find relief by avoiding the following:

• alcoholic beverages
• caffeinated beverages, such as coffee
• carbonated beverages, such as colas
• chocolate
• citrus fruits
• fatty and fried foods
• garlic and onions
• spicy foods
• tomato-based foods, such as pizza and spaghetti sauces
• certain sugars like high fructose corn syrup and lactose
• certain sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol

If trigger foods include dairy products such as milk, cheese, or ice cream, the problem may be lactose intolerance, not IBS. People who have cramping or bloating after only eating dairy products should stop eating these foods for a period of two weeks to see if symptoms subside. If symptoms subside after avoiding dairy, speak with your doctor about the possibility of lactose intolerance. If other non-lactose foods in addition to dairy aggravate your symptoms, you are more likely to have IBS.

While medications may provide relief in many cases, the preferred treatment for most people suffering from both acid reflux and IBS is lifestyle and dietary modification.

In addition to avoiding certain foods, people with IBS or GERD may find relief by losing weight, quitting smoking, and learning stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, or yoga.

Although lifestyle and dietary changes can benefit many people with IBS, if you have GERD symptoms as well, certain medications may help:

• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, are the drugs of choice for GERD sufferers.
• Antacids may be enough to relieve symptoms for people with occasional mild acid reflux.
• Anti-gas medications like simethicone (Gas-X) can work for occasional gas, bloating, and indigestion.

Buy antacids now.

Medications that focus on the management of IBS vary greatly depending on whether the main symptoms are constipation, diarrhea, or both. Your doctor can help guide your treatment.

If you have symptoms of GERD, IBS, or other intestinal problems, see your doctor for a thorough exam. Depending on your symptoms, you will likely need evaluation and testing to determine your diagnosis and which treatment options are best for you.

IBS and Acid Reflux: What’s the Connection?

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

IBS and Acid Reflux

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine, or colon. Symptoms usually include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas. Other symptoms of IBS may include urgent bowel movements or the feeling of incomplete evacuation.

The bowel muscles that are responsible for moving food through the intestinal tract may contract more forcefully or more irregularly in patients with IBS. This pushes food through the system abnormally. If waste material moves too fast it can cause diarrhea. If it moves too slow it can cause constipation.

Although it may make you uncomfortable, IBS doesn’t cause inflammation, nor will it permanently damage the colon.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a disease that may cause significant damage to the tissues and cells of the esophagus over time. It’s the chronic form of acid reflux.

GERD occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus due to a poor-functioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a band of muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach.

The main symptom of both acid reflux and GERD is frequent heartburn. Other symptoms may include burning in the throat or a sour liquid taste in back of the mouth.

While occasional acid reflux is normal, GERD symptoms are persistent and typically require treatment to relieve symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.

IBS is classified as a functional disorder. This is a condition in which symptoms are real, but physiological causes aren’t easily identifiable. Although the causes of IBS are unknown, it’s frequently exacerbated by stress.

IBS also often accompanies GERD. This dual presentation suggests that the two conditions may share common disease mechanisms, but these are not well understood.

One mechanism may be poor muscle function of the intestinal tract. Some experts suspect there may be an incoordination of the muscles that line the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, contributing to symptoms of both IBS and acid reflux.

Another observation is that individuals with both IBS and GERD report more sleep difficulties and more episodes of abdominal pain than people who just have IBS or GERD alone.

However, IBS is a complicated condition and less well-understood than GERD. Experts believe there are a variety of individual, intestinal, and environmental factors that contribute to IBS. This makes the relationship between GERD and IBS even more complicated.

Different stimuli may trigger IBS symptoms in different people. For instance, in one person things like intestinal infection or medication may cause symptoms, while other people may react to certain foods or stress.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from IBS. Often, women will find that IBS symptoms are worse during menstruation. This has led researchers to believe that hormones may play a role in the development of IBS.

Perhaps not surprisingly, IBS and acid reflux are often triggered by the same kinds of foods. Those suffering from one or both conditions may find relief by avoiding the following:

• alcoholic beverages
• caffeinated beverages, such as coffee
• carbonated beverages, such as colas
• chocolate
• citrus fruits
• fatty and fried foods
• garlic and onions
• spicy foods
• tomato-based foods, such as pizza and spaghetti sauces
• certain sugars like high fructose corn syrup and lactose
• certain sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol

If trigger foods include dairy products such as milk, cheese, or ice cream, the problem may be lactose intolerance, not IBS. People who have cramping or bloating after only eating dairy products should stop eating these foods for a period of two weeks to see if symptoms subside. If symptoms subside after avoiding dairy, speak with your doctor about the possibility of lactose intolerance. If other non-lactose foods in addition to dairy aggravate your symptoms, you are more likely to have IBS.

While medications may provide relief in many cases, the preferred treatment for most people suffering from both acid reflux and IBS is lifestyle and dietary modification.

In addition to avoiding certain foods, people with IBS or GERD may find relief by losing weight, quitting smoking, and learning stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, or yoga.

Although lifestyle and dietary changes can benefit many people with IBS, if you have GERD symptoms as well, certain medications may help:

• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, are the drugs of choice for GERD sufferers.
• Antacids may be enough to relieve symptoms for people with occasional mild acid reflux.
• Anti-gas medications like simethicone (Gas-X) can work for occasional gas, bloating, and indigestion.

Buy antacids now.

Medications that focus on the management of IBS vary greatly depending on whether the main symptoms are constipation, diarrhea, or both. Your doctor can help guide your treatment.

If you have symptoms of GERD, IBS, or other intestinal problems, see your doctor for a thorough exam. Depending on your symptoms, you will likely need evaluation and testing to determine your diagnosis and which treatment options are best for you.

Guidelines for the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease | 09/02/2011

The International Working Group on the Prevention of IHD, together with the International Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, has prepared a manual on the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD, coronary heart disease) in a pocket format.

Among the editorial committee of the manual is Professor Gerd Assmann, who conducted the first in Europe (in Germany) a long-term Münster study to identify factors that make it possible to predict with a high probability the global 10-year risk of coronary artery disease.

The method for calculating the global 10-year CHD risk is based on an analysis of 462 coronary events that occurred in 18,460 men and 49 events in 8,518 women during follow-up for 11.7 years. The results of these observations formed the basis of the original CHD risk assessment model, which became on a par with such popular models as the Framingham scale (developed on the basis of the Framingham study in the USA to assess the 10-year risk of developing CHD) and the SCORE scale (developed on the basis of European studies to estimate the 10-year risk of death from cardiovascular diseases). According to the initial letters of G. Assmann’s research, his model was called PROCAM.

PROCAM compares favorably with other rating scales in that, in addition to the parameters used in the Framingham and SCORE scales, it also takes into account a number of other important factors, for example, the level of triglycerides, cholesterol (C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, etc. . d. Moreover, each parameter is given a score depending on the severity of the indicator. Thus, the level of total cholesterol ranges from 0 to 21 points, the value of HDL cholesterol – from 0 to 11 points.

The PROCAM risk model was widely tested among the population, was highly appreciated and recognized as adequate for the contingent of the northern countries of Western Europe. To apply the PROCAM methodology in other countries, correction factors have been established, including for Russian cities. In other words, the method has become universal.

The manual contains four sections.

Section 1 includes practical advice on assessing coronary risk.

Section 2 summarizes treatments for various coronary risk factors.

Section 3 provides guidelines for blood sampling, links to useful Internet resources, literature for readers who wish to learn more about some topics, and information on commonly used alternative methods for calculating cardiovascular risk.

Section 4 contains a bibliography and an expanded alphabetical index to enable the reader to quickly find the information they need.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that considerable attention in the manual is paid to those sections of diagnostics and therapy, which, as a rule, are either hushed up or presented rather modestly. For example, issues of hypercoagulability, lipid levels and kidney disease, hypertension in women, pharmacological treatment of elderly patients, post-menopausal women, and prevention of coronary artery disease in children are specially discussed.

Another merit of the manual is the concise, clear style of presentation. The guide also comes with a disk, the use of which allows you to quickly and easily calculate the 10-year risk of developing coronary artery disease and stroke, even for a busy doctor!

In May 2011, within the framework of the IX Russian scientific conference with international participation “Rehabilitation and secondary prevention in cardiology”, this program was presented. In 2012, with the support of RosOkr and STADA Marketing LLC, it is planned to present PROCAM during participation in 9regional conferences in million-plus cities.

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Ischemic heart disease (CHD).

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• Ischemic heart disease (CHD).

Coronary heart disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease is today one of the most common diseases all over the world. For a variety of reasons, she is one of the leading causes of death among the population of developed countries. In this regard, the problem of IHD occupies one of the leading places among the most important medical problems of the 21st century.

What is IHD?

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a chronic disease that combines angina, myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis. In the vast majority (97-98%) of cases, IHD is a consequence of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart. Atherosclerosis develops as a result of impaired blood flow in the vessels that feed the heart. Without adequate blood flow from the coronary arteries, the heart muscle does not get the oxygen and vital nutrients it needs to function properly.

IHD has been studied for almost two hundred years. But, to the great regret of doctors and patients, the treatment of this disease of the century with drugs is not effective enough. Tablets are not able to break down the cholesterol plaque inside the heart vessel. As the years go by, the plaque grows, obstructing blood flow, and the prospect of a myocardial infarction becomes threatening. Therefore, the fate of patients with coronary artery disease largely depends on the quality and timeliness of diagnosis, on the correct diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment.

Why does coronary heart disease occur?

Cholesterol is deposited along the inner lining of the coronary arteries with age. These fatty deposits are called atherosclerotic plaques. Over time, they increase, thereby narrowing the lumen of the arteries and making it difficult for blood to flow to the heart. As a result, plaques impede blood flow to the heart muscle, which is indicated by chest pain – angina . This is how IBS develops.

Signs of coronary heart disease

One of the most common and typical reasons for visiting a doctor are chest pain (angina pectoris) and shortness of breath . There are several types of angina pectoris:

• exertional angina: pain occurs as a result of physical or emotional stress and usually disappears immediately after its cessation; in typical cases, the pain “gives” to the left arm, shoulder blade;

• spontaneous angina pectoris (angina pectoris at rest): attacks can develop at rest without obvious provocation, pain occurs mainly at night or when moving from a sitting position to a lying position;

Occasionally seizures occur regardless of any external factors . However, it should be noted that pain resembling angina pectoris (squeezing, pressing pains behind the sternum, lasting 5-10 minutes, radiating to the jaw, back or left arm), may not always be caused by the pathology of the coronary arteries.

It can occur in many conditions – in the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, lungs, central nervous system and some heart diseases (pericarditis, mitral valve prolapse). atypical signs of coronary heart disease include weakness, sweating, shortness of breath .

In addition, painless ischemia is observed in IHD , which serves as a poor prognostic sign. Painless ischemia is often observed in patients with stable angina pectoris, which is confirmed by the results of ECG Holter monitoring.

Not accompanied by pain Diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis, transient myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Many 90,045 outwardly healthy 90,046 people have severe coronary atherosclerosis, which manifests itself only during exercise tests and ECG. Frequent attacks of ischemia (with or without pain) indicate a high risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death. It is especially susceptible to elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. In painless ischemia, a thorough non-invasive examination is indicated.

Clinical signs of coronary heart disease include myocardial infarction and heart failure . Such a diagnosis is established in the presence of clinical and electrocardiographic data indicating the occurrence of a focus of necrosis in the myocardium. If, in the event of a heart attack, the patient is not hospitalized as soon as possible, severe complications may develop, and there is a high probability of death.

An important diagnostic sign of coronary heart disease is a feeling of discomfort in the chest or back that occurs during walking, certain physical or emotional stress and disappears after the cessation of this activity.

It must be borne in mind that IHD is a disease that progresses very slowly. And it is very important to identify the disease at the initial stages of development.

Causes of IHD

• It has been proven that the incidence of coronary heart disease is directly proportional to total cholesterol level blood serum. Prolonged atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries can lead to chronic insufficiency of blood supply to the heart muscle, which, in turn, leads to the development of heart failure.

• Another common cause of coronary heart disease is smoking , especially in men (increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease by 60%).

• Another reason is arterial hypertension .

• Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 50% in men and 100% in women. This is due both to an increase in total cholesterol in the blood serum, and to a greater “stickiness” of platelets.

• There is a hereditary predisposition to the development of coronary heart disease.

• Women also play a role long-term use of oral contraceptives .

If we classify the risk factors for developing coronary artery disease, we get the following:

Biological determinants or factors:

• advanced age;
• male;
• genetic factors;

Physiological features:

• dyslipidemia;
• arterial hypertension;
• obesity and the nature of the distribution of fat in the body;
• diabetes mellitus;

Behavioral factors:

• eating habits;
• smoking;
• insufficient motor activity, or physical activity exceeding the adaptive capacity of the body;
• alcohol consumption;
• behavior that contributes to coronary artery disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are by far the first among the most common diseases and one of the main causes of death.