Angina: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Among several ailments concerning the medical world, angina occupies a peculiar place. Patients affected by angina tend to associate it with either attack or pain resulting from indigestion. While severe cases are indications of a possible attack, angina itself doesn’t mean an equivalent.

So what is angina?

Angina (also referred to as Angina Pectoris) may be a type of left side pain caused by reduced cardiac blood flow. A symbol of coronary artery disease, angina manifests as squeezing, tightness or heaviness around the chest area. A comparatively common occurrence, are often confused with ordinary pain, pain from indigestion, etc.

What are the symptoms of angina?

Some of the foremost common angina symptoms are:

1. Pain felt like pressure, burning, squeezing, etc.
2. Pain in hands, shoulders, neck, and back
3. Nausea
4. Exhaustion
5. Breathlessness
6. Sweating
7. Dizziness

What are the various types of angina?

There are mainly three types of angina:

1. Stable Angina

The most common kind of angina, stable angina happens once you exert yourself an excessive amount of during strenuous activity. During this case, you’ll notice the subsequent symptoms:

• Develops with an increasing pulse, i.e. once you run or exercise
• Is just like ordinary pain
• Lasts for fewer than 5mins
• Disappears with rest or medication

2. Unstable Angina

It is a potentially dangerous sort of angina, symptoms of which shouldn’t be overlooked and immediately treated. You want to note the subsequent symptoms during this case:

• Occurs even when you’re at rest
• The frequency and pattern differs from that of stable angina
• Occurs all of a sudden
• Is more intense than stable angina
• Lasts for quite 30mins
• Doesn’t respond to medications

Note: Unstable Angina is typically the sign of a possible attack.

3. Variant Angina

Also referred to as Prinzmetal’s Angina, variant angina is that the third and therefore the rarest type. Caused by the spasm in cardiac arteries, variant angina may have subsequent symptoms.

• Occurs when you’re at rest
• Usually with heightened severity
• May, or may not answer angina medications

What are the causes of angina?

Angina develops from ischemia, i.e. reduced blood flow to the cardiac muscles; and therefore, the chief ailment liable for this is often coronary artery disease. It is caused by plaques (fatty deposits) on the within walls of the arteries leading to atherosclerosis. The deposits narrow the arteries, leading to restricted blood flow to the heart. Possible risk factors contributing to angina development are:

1. Tobacco Addiction
2. Diabetes
3. High vital sign
4. High Triglyceride Level (cholesterol)
5. Genetic Factor
6. Old Age
7. Sedentary Lifestyle
8. Stress
9. Anxiety
10. Obesity

So the way to prevent or treat angina?

Following are some clinically prescribed practices you’ll adopt to prevent/treat angina:

1. Lifestyle Alteration

Several lifestyle changes can help cure angina:

• Quit Smoking
• Engage in clinically prescribed weight loss program
• Reduce saturated fat consumption to stay cholesterol under check
• Incorporate more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Strictly avoid overeating
• Give your body adequate rest
• Have your vital sign and sugar levels checked
• Reduce workplace stress

2. Medication

If lifestyle changes can’t fetch results, choose the following medications prescribed:

• Nitrates
• Aspirin
• Clot preventing Drugs
• Beta-Blockers
• Statins
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Blood Pressure Lowering Medication
• Ranolazine

[Note: All the stated medications should be clinically prescribed and strictly monitored by experienced physicians.]

3. Surgery

Under extreme circumstances, doctors might recommend anybody of the subsequent surgical procedures:

• Angioplasty
• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Summary

Angina isn’t an ailment in itself, but a symbol of arteria coronaria disease which will or might not take extreme turns. Whether it’s stable, unstable, or variant, the signs should never be overlooked, and you should immediately consult a doctor on an instantaneous basis. If diagnosed with angina symptoms, you ought to strictly adhere to the instructions prescribed by your physician, and keep yourself from over-exercising or taking the incorrect dosage.

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/angina/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369378