Angina – Symptoms, Causes, Types And Diagnosis You Need To Know
Angina occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough oxygenated blood. It may be feeling likewise a pressure or squeezing in your chest. During this condition, you may feel pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back.
Have you ever may feel a fast stabbing chest pain? Sometimes it can be caused by muscle spasms, heartburn, or indigestion. But if it persists and increases when you exercise, you should not ignore the symptoms.
Chest pain, also called angina, can be a sign of a heart attack. Therefore, it should never be taken lightly. Get medical help as soon as possible if you have chest pain.
What is angina?
Angina, otherwise known medically as angina pectoris, is a type of chest pain that occurs when your heart does not get enough oxygen. Like any other organ in your body, your heart needs oxygen to function properly, through the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries supply oxygen to your heart, which helps it to function properly.
In any case, if your coronary arteries are closed, or narrow, it can cause pain in your heart due to lack of oxygen. Remember that it is not a disease. This is a sign that your heart is running low on oxygen. In this article, we will talk about the essentials of angina.
What are the types of angina?
There are 3 main types:
1- Stable Angina
This type is caused by atherosclerosis (accumulation of fat) in the coronary arteries and begins with physical activity. Relaxation brings peace.
2- Unstable Angina
This type is caused by progressive narrowing of the coronary arteries and can occur at rest. There is no definite pattern and it is more likely to lead to heart attack (myocardial infarction).
3- Prinzmetal/Variant Angina
This type is caused by a narrowing of the coronary artery that narrows it. It is more common in smokers and women. This usually happens at night or early in the morning.
What is the presentation of angina?
It is usually presented as a chest pain that is characterized by grip or pressure. It feels under the chest bone, and it may feel like someone is pressing on your chest. It never feels like a sharp or stabbing pain. The pain can reach your jaw, neck and back. This is known as pain radiation.
In addition, you may experience nausea, dizziness, increased sweating, and difficulty breathing.
How is angina diagnosed?
Your doctor may order the following tests to diagnose:
- ECG: This is done by putting leads on your chest and checking your heart rate.
- ETT: (Exercise tolerance test): This is done by observing ECG during rest and then during physical exertion.
- Coronary angiography: In this procedure, a catheter is inserted through an artery into your body and the obstruction in the coronary arteries is examined.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can be ordered to check for health conditions such as diabetes and cholesterol and protein levels in your body.
What are the risk factors for angina?
The following risk factors increase your chances of developing heart disease and angina:
- Positive family history
- High blood pressure
- Tuxedo
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Vain lifestyle
- Stress and anxiety
- obesity
- Diabetes
- Age (for men over 45 and women over 55)
How can angina be prevented?
Coronary artery disease and angina pectoris can be prevented by factors that may increase your risk of developing them. Here we told about some steps, by adopting of these you can begin the process of preparation for mediation.
- Quit smoking
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Eat a diet low in cholesterol
- Daily exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat less sugar and control your blood sugar levels to prevent diabetes.
- Take steps to avoid stress
Outcome
Angina is a treatable and treatable medical condition. Making small lifestyle changes, such as staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, and going to the doctor for proper supervision, can reduce the chances of coronary heart disease and angina pectoris.
If you experience any of the above symptoms and you do not go away, it is highly recommended that you see your doctor in time. Immediate management of angina pectoris can prevent complications such as heart attack. If you suffer from chest pain, you should go to the best cardiologist.
How serious is angina pectoris?
Chest pain is called angina. This is when the blood flow to the heart muscle decreases. This is not a fatal condition, but it is an early warning of a heart attack. Therefore, see your cardiologist immediately.
What is the main source of angina pectoris?
It is caused by coronary artery disease. In this disease, the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. Circulation of blood in the heart muscle is very important because blood carries oxygen, which is very important for the heart. When you do not get enough oxygen, it can cause ischemia.
How does angina disappear?
It goes away with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.