OSAKA -- Ischemic heart disease accounts for about 5% of deaths in Japan, including that of famous actor Toshiyuki Nishida, who passed away on Oct. 17 at 76. The Mainichi Shimbun looked into what exactly the illness is.

Ischemic heart disease is a general term for conditions caused by narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. It can cause pain or a sense of pressure in the chest due to insufficient blood flow, or no noticeable symptoms in some cases. It can occur suddenly and lead to unexpected death. Common examples include angina pectoris and heart attack.

Actor Jo Shishido also passed away from ischemic heart disease in January 2020 at the age of 86.

Once ischemic heart disease develops, the heart muscles can weaken, making recurrence more likely. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and hyperlipidemia, or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, are known to increase the risk of developing the condition. People also need to look out for obesity and stress. Preventive measures include quitting smoking, improving dietary habits and engaging in moderate exercise.

(Japanese original by Yin Tanaka, Osaka Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)