It is estimated that 2.3 million people in the UK are living with coronary heart disease (CHD) (ONS 2014a). It is therefore important to have a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition and an awareness of the complex interplay of contributory factors. Written from the perspective of a student ODP, this article investigates the aetiology, presentation and progression of the disease, and puts CHD into the context of the emerging anaesthetic practitioner's practice.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; Perioperative care.
Copyright the Association for Perioperative Practice.