Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) refers to the condition of inadequate blood supply to the myocardium. It is also commonly referred to as heart disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), or coronary artery disease (CAD). From 2013 to 2016, the total number of people age 20 and older in the United Sates affected by IHD was estimated to be 18.2 million [1]. Each year about 605, 000 Americans have their first myocardial infarction (MI), with more than 200, 000 experiencing a subsequent event [1]. While deaths from IHD have declined since 2000, it remains the leading killer of both men and women [1, 2]. In addition to the loss of life, IHD has a large financial impact. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates a loss of 218 billion dollars in 2014 including loss of productivity [1].
