Disease name: Atherosclerotic heart disease
ICD-10 Disease Code: I25.10 - Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris
ICD-10 Disease Group: I25 - Chronic ischemic heart disease
General description:Atherosclerotic heart disease refers to heart diseases caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is caused by the buildup of plaque inside arteries. Plaque is made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, limiting oxygen-rich blood flow and causing heart diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), carotid artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease.
CAD, also known as ischemic heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States. CAD involves the blockage of arteries that supply blood to heart muscle, leading to heart attacks. CAD may weaken the heart muscle over time and contribute to heart failure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Carotid artery disease involves blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain and can result in a stroke.
Peripheral arterial disease involves blockage of arteries in the arms, legs and pelvis, and can lead to numbness, pain and infections.
Mutations:A genetic variation in the LPA gene that increases Lp(a) levels has been implicated in increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, AVS, and other heart diseases.
Many other mutations in diverse genes have been linked with cardiovascular diseases. The exact mutations implicated and their impact is disease-dependent.
Disease frequency:Every year in the United States, over 650,000 people die from heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.
Symptoms:Usually, atherosclerosis does not cause symptoms until an artery is severely narrowed or blocked entirely. Often, atherosclerosis can go undetected until it leads to a medical emergency.
Some symptoms of CAD are chest pain or discomfort (angina), weakness, light-headedness, nausea, or a cold sweat, pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder, and shortness of breath. However, for many individuals the first symptom is a heart attack. Most heart attacks occur when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the heart’s blood supply.
Treatment:For individuals with CAD that have suffered a heart attack, cardiac rehabilitation and recovery is implemented. This involves physical activity, education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help one quit smoking, as well as counselling to relieve stress and improve mental health.
Medication to treat risk factors for CAD, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat may be useful. These include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates that can help relieve symptoms of angina. Low-dose aspirin and statins may also be useful to prevent a second heart attack. Some surgical procedures may help to restore normal blood flow.
Sources:- https://www.icd10data.com/
- https://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/index.php
- https://rarediseases.org/
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/
- https://www.cdc.gov/
- Enas EA, Varkey B, Dharmarajan TS, Pare G, Bahl VK. Lipoprotein(a): An independent, genetic, and causal factor for cardiovascular disease and acute myocardial infarction. Indian Heart J. 2019 Mar-Apr;71(2):99-112.
