Angina (Angina Pectoris)

WHAT IS ANGINA?

Angina is a kind of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and is a symptom of Coronary Artery Disease. It is often described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in the chest. Although angina is relatively common, it can still be hard to distinguish it from other types of chest pains. In case of any unexplained chest pain, it is always advisable to seek medical attention. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANGINA? 

Angina symptoms include:

• chest pain or discomfort often described as pressure, squeezing, burning or fullness

• pain in your arms, neck, jaw, shoulder or back along with chest pain

• nausea

• fatigue

• shortness of breath

• sweating

• dizziness

These symptoms would need to be evaluated immediately by a doctor to determine whether you have stable or unstable angina which may indicate a possible heart attack.

Stable angina is the most common form of angina that usually happens when you exert yourself and goes away with rest. The severity, duration and type of angina can vary. New or different symptoms may signal a more dangerous form of angina (unstable angina) or a heart attack.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis : To diagnose angina, Doctor will do a physical exam and seek information on symptoms. You'll also be questioned about any risk factors, including a family history of heart disease. Several tests might be ordered by your doctor to help confirming whether you have angina like Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Stress test, Echocardiogram or Nuclear Stress Test along with a Chest X-ray and various Blood tests,Coronary angiography, 

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan, Cardiac MRI, etcetera as appropriate to your condition.

Treatment : There are many options for angina treatment, including lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary bypass surgery. The goals of treatment are to reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms and to bring down your risk of a heart attack and death.

1. Lifestyle Changes 

In case of mild angina,  lifestyle changes may be all you need: 

- stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke

- seek weight-loss options, if obese

- eat nutritious and balanced diet with lots of whole grains, fruits and  vegetables

- discuss with doctor about a safe exercise plan

 -keep diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol under control

 -stay away eating large meals that make you feel overly full

 -discuss stress-reduction techniques with your doctor

 -limit alcohol consumption 

     2. Medications

If lifestyle changes alone don't help your angina, you may need to take medications as advised by your Cardiologist. These may include Nitrates, Aspirin,Clot-preventing drugs, etcetera. 

   3. Medical Procedures 

Though lifestyle changes and medications are frequently used to treat stable angina. Medical procedures such as angioplasty, stenting and coronary artery bypass surgery may also be used.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

Risk factors

The following risk factors increase the risk of coronary artery disease and angina:

• Tobacco use

• Diabetes, High blood pressure, High blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels. 

• Family history of heart disease and Age factors

• Lack of exercise 

• Obesity

• Stress

Complications

The chest pain that occurs with angina can make doing some normal activities, such as walking, uncomfortable. However, the most dangerous complication is a heart attack. Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes

• Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw

• Increasing episodes of chest pain

• Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating

• Impending sense of doom

• Fainting

• Nausea and vomiting

In case of any of these symptoms, get immediate medical attention.