Angina Or Chest Pain, Its Causes, Risk Factors & Its Treatment (First Aid)
Angina Or Chest Pain – Angina (chest pain) is a pressure, heaviness, and / or pain in the middle of the chest that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood to do its job. This is usually due to narrowing of the coronary arteries, often combined with physical exertion or emotions that cause the heart to beat faster and therefore require more oxygen.
As the need for oxygen decreases, so does the condition. If left untreated, angina can lead to a heart attack and can be a serious, life-threatening condition.
Causes Of Angina
- This may be due to an inherited cause.
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Kidney problems
Symptoms Of Angina Pectoris
Here are some signs to look for:
- Pain in the back of the breast bone in women (often referred to as “crushing” or “tightness”) and between the chest in men
- Due to hard work or emotional stress (but can be relaxed)
- The pain may or may not spread to the shoulder, jaw or inner arm.
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Extreme fatigue
Most people avoid a heart attack first, but are at greater risk for a second. By taking action, you can significantly reduce the chances of another heart attack.
Risk Factors
According to experts, these factors increase your risk of having another heart attack.
- Inactive lifestyle
- Being overweight or obese.
- Cholesterol rising
- Increase of blood sugar levels, if you are facing diabetes.
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Too much pressure
- Excessive drinking
Steps To Reduce Angina/Heart Attack
The following steps can be taken to reduce the risk of other heart attacks:
1- Quit Smoking
By not smoking, you can halve the risk of another heart attack. You should talk to your healthcare consultant about, smoking cessation programs, nicotine replacement products, or quitting drugs. This is the major or biggest risk factor for the heart diseases.
2- Eat A Heart-Healthy Diet
By reducing saturated fats and trans fats, you can lower your levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL is an important substance that causes heart attacks. Manufacturers are reducing or eliminating trans fats from their products.
You can avoid most trans fatty acids, which contain partially hydrogenated oil, by eating less margarine and less cookies, crackers, potato chips, donuts, and other snacks. It is important to do this while eating.
3- Control Your Cholesterol
In addition to following a heart-healthy diet, such as DSH (a dietary approach to preventing high blood pressure), you can help control your cholesterol by exercising regularly. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as statin.
It is important to take this medicine as advised. If you are at high risk and find it difficult to control your cholesterol, your provider may prescribe other medications such as zeaxanthin or 9 inhibitors of PCS. You should consult your healthcare consultant, if you have any of the concerns.
4- Exercise Regularly
Exercise is important because it strengthens the heart muscle. It also boosts your energy levels and helps control weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. The AHA recommends at least 30 to 60 minutes of walking or other moderate strenuous exercise at least 3 to 5 times a week.
If you have had a heart attack, you need to get approval from your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program. If you experience any of these symptoms during exercise, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
- Shortness of breath that lasts more than 10 minutes.
- Chest pain or pain in the arm, neck, jaw or abdomen.
- Dizziness
- Light or blemished skin
- Very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Cold sweat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, swelling or pain in the legs.
5- Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being overweight greatly increases your risk of having another heart attack. If you need to lose weight, seek help from your healthcare provider. You should maintain your BMI may be called as Body Mass Index should be between 18.5 & 24.9. This is a very healthy limit.
6- Control High Blood Pressure
Follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
7- Assess Your Mental Health
Depression, stress, anxiety and anger may also damage your heart as well as it affects on your overall health. If you need help with your feelings, talk to a therapist about your condition.
8- Take Your Medicine As Directed
Medicines for your heart, cholesterol and blood pressure are an important part of your heart health. If they have any questions about you, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
9- Control Your Blood Sugar Level
If you have diabetes or insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels, you have a higher risk of having another heart attack. Lowering blood sugar levels can reduce inflammation and damage to the coronary arteries. This can prevent the blood vessels from staining or narrowing.
10. Limit Alcohol And Illicit Drugs
Alcohol and illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can raise blood pressure and put pressure on the heart. By drinking of alcohol may also increase your blood sugar & triglyceride levels. Ask your provider for help with limiting
Management
In severe chest pain give:
- Nitroglycerin
- Sublingually
And if the pain goes away, give aspirin (disprin) and take the patient to the hospital.
Note: Medical consultation is required.