Mehrgefäßerkrankter

Mehrgefäßerkrankter is a German term used in medicine to describe a patient suffering from disease affecting multiple blood vessels. This condition is more commonly known in English as multivessel disease. It refers to the presence of significant blockages or narrowing in three or more major coronary arteries. These arteries are responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

The development of mehrgefäßerkrankter is typically a consequence of atherosclerosis, a progressive condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries. Risk factors for this condition include advanced age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and a family history of heart disease.

Symptoms of mehrgefäßerkrankter can vary but often include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back. In severe cases, it can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Diagnosis usually involves a medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and imaging studies such as a coronary angiogram to visualize the extent of the blockages.

Treatment aims to manage symptoms, reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events, and improve blood flow to the heart. This can include lifestyle modifications, medications to control risk factors and improve heart function, and revascularization procedures like angioplasty with stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery to open or bypass the narrowed arteries. The management strategy is tailored to the individual patient's overall health and the severity of their disease.