Overcoming angina (chest pain) after a heart attack

Not everyone who has a heart attack will get heart attack symptoms such as angina or chest pain. However, this symptom is indeed a common symptom, so many will experience it. In fact, angina may appear after you have had heart attack treatment. Then, how to deal with angina after a heart attack? Check out the full explanation below.

How to deal with angina after a heart attack

Angina is chest pain or discomfort usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. The cause of a heart attack which then causes symptoms of angina is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. Angina is divided into three types, namely stable, unstable and variant.

Of the three types of angina, one that may be experienced after a heart attack is angina pectoris andunstable angina. Stable angina (angina pectoris) is a condition of angina that occurs regularly and can be treated with drugs. Meanwhile, unstable angina (unstable angina) is a dangerous condition and tends to lead to heart attacks.

However, you don't need to worry too much because the symptoms of a heart attack can be overcome in several ways and treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, angina can be treated by using heart attack drugs, medical procedures, and a healthy lifestyle.

Medicines to treat angina after a heart attack

The following are some types of drugs that are often used as drugs for first aid in heart attacks. These drugs can also be used to treat angina after a heart attack, such as:

• Aspirin

Aspirin is a drug that can reduce blood clots. This medicine is needed to make it easier for blood to flow back through the narrowed heart arteries.

• Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin or nitrate is a drug that is often used when you feel pain in the heart. To treat symptoms of angina after a heart attack, this drug works to open and widen blood vessels. That way more blood flows to your heart muscle.

• Beta-blockers

These drugs work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. As a result, your heart beats slower and can help blood pressure normalize. Beta-blockers can also help blood vessels to relax and improve blood flow.

• Statins

Statins are drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. This drug works by blocking substances needed to produce cholesterol.

Statins can also help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has accumulated in plaque on your artery walls. That way this drug can help prevent further blockage of your blood vessels.

Medical procedures to treat angina after a heart attack

Not only the use of drugs, there are also medical procedures that can be undertaken to treat angina after a heart attack. This procedure can also be done to treat a heart attack, including:

• Angioplasty and heart stamping

This medical procedure might be an option for you if heart attack medication and lifestyle changes are unable to relieve chest pain. Angioplasty is a procedure performed by opening a blocked or narrowed artery.

The goal is to restore blocked blood flow to the heart. Angioplasty is performed by inserting a catheter into an artery until it reaches the vessel closest to the heart to determine the position of the blocked artery. Once the position is known, a heart ring can be permanently placed in the blocked vessel to keep the blood vessel open.

• Heart bypass surgery

Not only to treat heart attacks, this surgery can also be used to treat angina after a heart attack. Usually, heart bypass surgery is recommended if the arteries are badly blocked and the blockage is at a dangerous enough location.

The heart surgeon will cut the blocked artery and attach it to the other blood vessels below and above the blocked vessel. In other words, doctors create a shortcut for blood flow so that it can continue to flow to the heart even though the arteries have been blocked.

• EECP therapy (Enhanced external counterpulsation)

Usually, EECP therapy is used to treat angina after a heart attack in patients who still experience chest pain even after using drugs and undergoing angioplasty.

This therapy is also used to treat patients who have problems with blood flow in their blood vessels. The blood flow is so small that even other procedures cannot produce maximum results.

This therapy is usually done for 1-2 hours every day for seven weeks. While undergoing therapy, your feet will be fitted with large cuffs. The pressure on the air will cause the cuff to expand and collapse in time with your heartbeat. This can help restore blood flow to the heart.

Lifestyle changes to deal with angina after a heart attack

Whatever type of angina you are experiencing, your doctor will certainly recommend that you live a healthy lifestyle that is good for your heart. Some of them are as follows.

• Quit smoking.
• Set a healthy diet, for example by limiting your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, salt and sugar.
• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
• Increase daily activities, for example by exercising regularly every day.
• Control body weight so as not to be obese.
• Take control of stress and relax more in your daily activities. Also find out how to deal with stress effectively.
• Treat any health conditions that can increase your risk of developing angina, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Apart from helping you deal with angina, the things above can also help you prevent another heart attack in the future.

x