Angina: symptoms, causes, treatment

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Definition

What is angina?

Angina is chest pain or discomfort usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. Usually the cause of angina is due to narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in the body. Your heart needs oxygen carried by your blood. Lack of blood reaching the heart results in less oxygen being carried to the heart to pump blood. There are 3 types of angina:

• Stable angina is the most common type. This angina occurs when the heart is working harder than usual, for example after exercising. Stable angina has a regular pattern. Usually gets better with rest and medication.
• Unstable angina is the most dangerous type. This angina has no pattern and can occur without physical activity. This type of angina doesn't get better with rest or drugs. This is a sign that you could have a heart attack soon.
• Angina variant is a rare type. This angina occurs while you are resting. Can be helped with drugs.

Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. If you have chest pain, you should call your doctor right away.

How common is angina?

Everyone can experience angina for different reasons. People with heart disease are more at risk of experiencing angina. Men over 45 years and women over 55 years are at high risk.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of angina?

Some of the signs and symptoms of angina are:

• Chest pain or discomfort such as pressure or heaviness that lasts less than 10 minutes (stable angina) or more than 30 minutes (unstable angina);
• Chest pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder or left back;
• Nausea;
• Limp;
• Crowded;
• Sweating
• Dizzy.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of angina you have. Here are some signs and symptoms based on the type of angina:

1. Angina stable

Stable angina is pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs during activity or stress. This pain or discomfort is triggered by relatively similar levels of activity or stress.

If you have stable angina, you can study the pattern and be able to predict when the pain will appear. This pain usually goes away after a few minutes after you have rested or taken your angina medicine.

2. Unstable angina

Unstable wind, namely winds that can change the pattern of symptoms. Usually occurs at night, during sleep. This angina can occur more frequently and is heavier than stable angina. Unstable angina can also occur with or without physical activity, and it doesn't get better with rest or medication.

3. Angina variant

Angina variant is very rare. Coronary artery stiffness causes this type of angina. Angina variant usually occurs when you are resting and the pain can be worse. Angina is a condition that usually occurs at midnight and dawn. This angina can be relieved with drugs.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you experience signs of angina. Stable angina is not a heart attack, it indicates a heart attack will be more likely to occur later.

Unstable angina is very dangerous and requires emergency therapy. This type of angina is a sign that a heart attack is imminent.

Sometimes the chest pain that is felt when experiencing angina is considered a "cold" by the patient. This is what often causes patients to get help late. If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes angina?

The main cause of angina is due to lack of blood flow to the heart. However, there are causes caused by other conditions, such as:

• Coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis (fat accumulation in the blood vessels of the heart)
• Abnormal heart rate.
• Lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (anemia)
• Coronary artery stiffness.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for angina?

There are many risk factors for angina are:

• Age and gender: men over 60 years and women after menopause or over 55 years.
• Family history of heart disease.
• People who consume a lot of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.
• People who lack exercise.
• Smoker.
• People with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for angina?

The goal of angina therapy is to improve blood flow to the heart or reduce the work of the heart. Rest and reducing activity is the initial therapy.

While the aspirin drug is useful for increasing blood flow. Medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, cause vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) which also helps improve blood flow. If indeed the cause of angina is blockage of the blood vessels.

Other medicines such as beta-blockers lower the heart rate, thereby decreasing the work of the heart. Managing disease causes (such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, diabetes, high cholesterol) is very important. Your doctor can give you medicine to treat this condition first. If these medicines don't work, surgery is required.

Surgery that can be done is:

• Angioplasty and stenting: this procedure opens the blood vessels by inserting a small balloon into the narrowed artery to widen the artery and then placing a small wire mesh (stent). This procedure increases blood flow effectively and is a good therapy for patients with unstable angina.

Coronary artery bypass: this procedure is performed to cut a blocked or narrowed artery and then use a vein or artery from another part of the body as a replacement. Usually this surgery is a good therapeutic option for stable and unstable angina that is not responsive to drugs.

What are the usual tests for angina

Before diagnosing, your doctor will perform the following examinations:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG);
• Treadmill and exercise tests;
• A heart catheter is done to check the blood flow of the heart by inserting a device through the arteries to the heart. This examination can show blocked arteries.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat angina?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with angina are:

• Quit smoking
• Healthy diet by reducing fat and salt, consume lots of fiber such as wheat, fruit and vegetables.
• Consult with your doctor to determine the most effective exercise routine.
• If you are overweight, discuss with your doctor how to lose weight for your current health condition.
• Follow the control schedule prescribed by the doctor.
• If angina is caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you have to treat it first.
• Take time to rest.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.