Causes and Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease

Model:Coronary Artery Intervention

Currently, research has not identified the exact cause of coronary heart disease. Many factors can lead to coronary heart disease, meaning that the causes of coronary heart disease are multifactorial, and these causes are also known as high-risk factors. There are many high-risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as age, gender, family history (genetic factors), hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and more. Among these factors, the relationships between hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes with coronary heart disease are relatively clear. Other risk factors such as hypertriglyceridemia, high homocysteine levels, and obesity are still under deep investigation.

Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia was the first confirmed risk factor for coronary heart disease and is one of the most harmful risk factors among all risk factors. Cholesterol is the primary target in the interventional treatment of coronary heart disease.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for coronary heart disease. When smoking coexists with other risk factors, there is a significant synergistic harmful effect. For example, among hypertensive patients who smoke one pack of cigarettes daily, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 35-40%. Research has also shown a significant increase in cardiovascular mortality among passive smokers. Smoking increases the risk of coronary artery spasm by 2.4 times. The risk of acute myocardial infarction or sudden coronary death in male smokers is 2.7 times higher than in non-smokers, while in females, it is 4.7 times higher.

Hypertension

As a risk factor, hypertension is no less harmful than smoking. China has a high prevalence of hypertension, with approximately 110 million hypertensive patients according to statistics from the Ministry of Health, but only 30% receive drug treatment.

Diabetes

Diabetes is also one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease. Diabetes affects various stages from atherosclerosis formation to cardiac death. In recent years, the incidence of diabetes in the population has increased rapidly, and significantly, most diabetic patients are unaware of their condition and do not receive effective treatment until complications arise.

Gender

Gender is one of the most evident risk factors for coronary heart disease. The incidence of coronary heart disease is several times higher in men than in women, which may be predominantly due to hormonal reasons. The incidence of coronary heart disease in premenopausal women is significantly lower than in men, but it rises sharply after menopause, reaching a similar rate in elderly men and women.

Age

Age is also a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease. With increasing age, various risk factors accumulate, causing continuous damage to the body. When these factors accumulate to a certain degree, clinical symptoms appear. Additionally, age is the most important factor in causing coronary heart disease deaths from various risk factors. The acute-phase mortality rate of elderly myocardial infarction patients significantly increases. Therefore, it is essential to actively control other risk factors in the elderly population.

Family History

A family history of coronary heart disease is the third uncontrollable risk factor. Although coronary heart disease does not exhibit clear hereditary traits like other genetic diseases, it does show a noticeable genetic tendency. Individuals with a clear genetic predisposition are more susceptible to coronary heart disease when exposed to the same degree of other risk factors for an equal duration. Research has shown that individuals with a family history of coronary heart disease have 2.0-3.9 times higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, a 2.2 times higher risk of myocardial infarction, and they develop coronary heart disease several years earlier than those without a family history. The severity of coronary artery lesions is also greater in individuals with a family history of coronary heart disease. The higher incidence of coronary heart disease in individuals with a family history may be the result of genetic interactions with other risk factors.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors play a crucial role in the onset of coronary heart disease. Excitement, depression, and anxiety, as well as Type A personalities characterized by competitiveness and aggressiveness, are associated with a higher incidence of coronary heart disease. In contrast, individuals with Type B personalities, characterized by lower competitiveness, have a relatively lower incidence of coronary heart disease. This is mainly because long-term mental tension or emotional suppression disrupts the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activities in the body, leading to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, increased release of catecholamines, elevated blood pressure, and thereby increasing the incidence of coronary heart disease or worsening existing conditions.

Obesity

While there is still debate and no definitive conclusion on whether obesity is a predisposing factor for coronary heart disease, it is unquestionably one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease. Obesity can lead to increased blood pressure, elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, decreased levels of protective high-density lipoprotein, and can also cause hyperinsulinemia. It can be said that obesity is related to all risk factors for coronary heart disease except smoking.

The Silicone Coronary Artery Model, known as Coronary Artery Intervention II, is a sophisticated 3D-printed model crafted from CT/MRI data obtained from real patients. This model intricately replicates the major vascular structures extending from the femoral artery to the aorta, including the left and right coronary systems integrated onto an acrylic heart base. A unique feature of this model is the ability to detach and interchange the coronary system with alternative specifications, offering versatility for various simulation scenarios. With provisions for both trans-radial and trans-femoral approaches, this model serves as a valuable tool for simulating coronary interventions, providing a realistic and customizable platform for training and procedural practice in the field of coronary heart disease management.