LEE'S PHARM.

Cardiovascular Diseases

What is unstable angina pectoris or heart attack?

Unstable angina may be primary, i.e., occur in the absence of an extracardiac condition that has intensified myocardial ischemia, or it may be precipitated by a condition extrinsic to the coronary vascular bed that has intensified myocardial ischemia, such as anemia, fever, infection, tachyarrhythmias, emotional stress, or hypoxemia. Unstable angina, particularly when it is characterized by rest pain or occurs in the postinfarction state, carries an adverse prognosis, with significant risk of acute myocardial infarction or the development of intractable chronic stable angina.

What are the signs?

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected are not sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

	Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
	Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
	Shortness of breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort.
	Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

3)	Available treatment
	Acute myocardial infarction should be ruled out by means of serial ECGs and measurements of plasma cardiac enzyme activity. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring should be carried out and the patients should receive reassurance and sedation. ZHAOKE Livaracine, low molecular weight heparin has become a successfully treatment for acute coronary syndromes.

Prevalency

According to the ※1998 World Health Statistics Annual§, the death rate arising from cardiovascular disease in the PRC was approximately 802 per 100,000 men of ages ranging from 35 to 74 and 571 per 100,000 women under the same age group respectively. According to China Statistical Yearbook 2000, cardiovascular diseases were amongst one of the top ten causes for disease-related death cases in 1999 which accounted for about 17% of the total number of deaths in cities in the PRC.

As the living standard in the PRC continues to improve, Chinese now tend to consume more and more western food which are of high fat and high calorie content, precipitating the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart diseases and stroke. In addition, improved medical care has extended the life expectancy of the people and aging of the population will further increase the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

According to China Statistical Yearbook 2000, approximately 7.0% of the population in the PRC is over 65. As the PRC continues its path of modernization, it is expected to see a significant increase of coronary hearth disease patients in the PRC in the next few years.