Coronary heart disease is a heart condition also known as coronary artery disease, coronary atherosclerosis, or chronic ischaemic heart disease (MDA Internet 2005).
The coronary arteries supply oxygen to the heart muscles. These arteries can become progressively clogged with fatty materials and scar tissue, often as a result of a high fat or high cholesterol diet. This narrows the diameter of the arteries, reducing the blood flow to the heart and resulting in coronary heart disease (Heart Foundation 2007).
Symptoms and characteristics
People with coronary heart disease may experience:
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dyspnea or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
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chest pain or angina (a gripping/squeezing pain in the heart)
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palpitations which irregular, fluttering or skipping heartbeat
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syncope (fainting, dizziness, or brief loss of consciousness).
Coronary heart disease can also lead to a heart attack or stroke (Bashore & Granger 2007).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Heart Foundation 2007, Heart diseases and conditions, Heart Foundation, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.heartfoundation.com.au/index.cfm?page=184>
Heart Foundation 2007, Heart, Stroke and Vascular Diseases Australian Facts 2004, Heart Foundation, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.heartfoundation.com.au/downloads/AIHW_HSVD_04_FINAL.pdf>.
McPhee, S.J.; Papadakis, M.A. & Tierney, L.M. 2007, Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2007, Cardiology, The McGraw Hill Companies, Texas.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 12April 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.