Diagnoses and Treatments

hata: konyabaskenthospital<br>
Angina

Angina

What is angina? Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, your heart may beat faster and harder to gain more blood, causing you noticeable pain. Angina isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom and a warning sign of heart disease. About 10 million people in the U.S. experience angina. So, if you have this symptom, you’re certainly not alone. It’s important to learn more about angina, what causes it and how to manage it in your daily life. Important: Angina can be a warning sign of a heart attack. If you have unexpected or severe chest pain, call 911 right away.

What does angina feel like? Most people with angina describe having chest pain or pressure. Or they describe a squeezing sensation or a tightness in their chest. Some people say it feels like indigestion. Others say it’s hard to describe angina with words. The discomfort usually begins behind your breastbone. Sometimes, you may not be able to locate exactly where the pain is coming from. Pain/discomfort you feel in your chest may spread to other parts of your upper body. These include your neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back or belly. Lack of oxygen to your heart can cause other symptoms, known as “angina equivalents.” These are symptoms that you don’t feel in your chest, including: Fatigue. Nausea or vomiting. Shortness of breath. Sweating a lot.

What is angina pectoris? Angina pectoris is another name for stable angina. It refers to brief chest pain or discomfort that comes and goes in predictable patterns.

How is angina different from a heart attack?

Both angina and a heart attack are consequences of coronary artery disease. But angina doesn’t cause permanent damage to your heart. A heart attack does. That’s because angina signals a temporary reduction in blood flow to your heart. A heart attack causes a longer reduction in blood flow. During that time, part of your heart muscle begins to die.

Another key difference is what makes the pain go away. Rest or medication (nitroglycerin) causes stable angina to go away within a few minutes. However, if you’re having a heart attack, rest or medication won’t ease your symptoms.

Stable angina doesn’t require emergency care unless your pain suddenly gets worse or doesn’t go away with rest or medication. A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical attention. There’s nothing you can do on your own to make it better.

 

What causes angina?

Reduced blood flow to your heart (myocardial ischemia) causes angina. Several problems with your coronary arteries can prevent your heart from receiving enough blood. These include:

 

Coronary artery disease (CAD): This is the most common cause of angina. It happens when plaque (a fatty, waxy substance) builds up in your coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart. These arteries narrow or harden (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow to your heart.

Coronary microvascular disease: This condition is more common among women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) compared with men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). It damages the walls of tiny blood vessels that branch from your coronary arteries. These blood vessels aren’t seen on typical testing for CAD and require special testing that’s not available at all medical centers.

Coronary artery spasm: Your coronary arteries repeatedly constrict (tighten) then open up. These spams temporarily restrict blood flow to your heart. You can have coronary spasms without having coronary artery disease. This may not be diagnosed with routine testing for CAD and may require special testing that’s not available at all medical centers.

Risk factors for angina

There are many risk factors for angina. Some factors raise your risk of heart problems that directly cause angina, like coronary artery disease. Other factors limit how much oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart.

 

Some risk factors (like aging) are out of your control. You may be able to manage others through lifestyle changes and medications. Talk with your provider about how to lower your risk.

 

Anemia (low red blood cells).

Chronic stress.

Diabetes.

Diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium or refined carbohydrates.

Drinking too much alcohol.

Exposure to “particle” air pollution (like dust from roads, farms or construction sites).

Family history of early heart disease.

Heart failure.

Heart valve disease.

High blood pressure.

High cholesterol.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart).

Inflammation.

Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke.

Metabolic syndrome.

Not moving around enough (physical inactivity).

Obesity.

Older age (over 45 for men and people AMAB, over 55 for women and people AFAB).

Smoking, vaping or using other tobacco products.

Use of street drugs.

 

How is angina treated?

Your healthcare provider will treat the underlying heart problem that’s causing your angina. The goals of treatment are to improve blood flow to your heart and lower your risk of complications. Your provider will give you a physical exam and perform testing to learn more about your condition and determine the best treatments.

Common treatment options include:

 

Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs to lower your risk of blood clots.

Blood pressure medications.

Cholesterol medications.

Medications used specifically to treat angina.

Lifestyle changes.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also called coronary angioplasty and stenting.

Even with treatment, some people still experience angina. Your provider may prescribe a medication to quickly open your blood vessels when you have pain. Nitroglycerin is a common angina medication.

 

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is another option for people with continued pain. This therapy applies pressure to your lower legs to help improve blood flow to your heart. It may help ease your angina.

What can I do at home to manage angina?

Talk with your healthcare provider about how to manage angina in your daily life. They’ll offer advice based on the type of angina you have and what’s causing it. Some general tips include:

 

Keep a log of your angina episodes. Include the date and time, what it felt like and possible triggers (activities, emotions, weather, etc.). Also include the pain level on a scale of 1 to 10. Share the log with your provider.

Know when to call for emergency help.

Take medication as prescribed to treat your angina.

Try to avoid the triggers that lead to an angina attack.

If you have angina, you may worry about what’ll trigger an angina attack. You may wonder if it’s safe for you to do the following activities:

 

Drive.

Exercise or play a competitive sport.

Have sex.

Work a job that involves manual labor.

Talk with your provider about which activities are safe for you. Many people can continue their normal routine, but should keep medicine with them in case of an angina attack. You may need to reduce heavy lifting or other strenuous tasks that could trigger an angina attack. But your provider will offer guidance based on your individual situation.

 

How can I prevent angina?

You can help prevent angina by living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Take these steps for better heart health:

Avoid smoking and all tobacco products. Also, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

Eat a heart-healthy diet. The DASH Diet and the Mediterranean Diet are good options. Lower your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and sodium.

Find new ways to manage stress. Try meditation, yoga or talking with a counselor or friend. Journal writing is another way to process emotions and concerns.

Keep a weight that’s healthy for you. Ask your provider what you should aim for, and ask for advice on how to reach that goal.

Manage risk factors for coronary artery disease. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and diabetes.

Move around more. Try to exercise for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) every week. Go for walks or find other activities you enjoy. Find a friend to join you.

Take medications prescribed by your cardiologist. Many of these medications have been shown to reduce or eliminate the anginal symptoms you have.

User Reviews

No comments

Other

Shape

Drop your Comment

Our Latest News

Blog

Başkent Unıversıty Konya Applıcatıon And Research Center Partıcıpated In The Interactıve Pedıatrıc Congress In Tangıer, Morocco

Başkent University Konya Hospital participated as a guest in the 20th Interactive Pediatrics Congress held in Tangier, Morocco on 01-03 September 2023. At the congress, our hospital's International Patient Coordinator Ercan Zeki Gedik and Pediatrics Cardiology Clinic responsible represented by Dr. Mahmut Gökdemir.

Blog

Pediatric Cardiology Medicine Symposium of Baghdad Ibn-i El Beldi Hospital.

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center participated in the Pediatric Cardiology Medicine Symposium of Baghdad Ibn-i El Beldi Hospital.

Blog

Stem Cell Application Center offers new hopes to patients with its studies in the field of stem cell therapy.

Baskent University Konya Application and Research Center, Stem Cell Application Center offers new hopes to patients with its studies in the field of stem cell therapy.

Blog

Mr. Namr Mohammed Abdurahman, visited Konya with a delegation consisting of businessmen accompanying him.

North Darfur Region Governor of Sudan, Mr. Namr Mohammed Abdurahman, visited Konya with a delegation consisting of businessmen accompanying him.

Blog

Iraqi doctors preferred Başkent University for Fetal Eko training.

Iraqi doctors preferred Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center for Fetal Eko training.

Blog

Her family did not give up her struggle for life, from little Atlas

Atlas baby, who was in danger of life because her body did not get enough blood in Konya, survived by expanding the vein in her heart with the operation performed when she was 15 days old.

Blog

Two More Kidney Transplant

Two more kidney (cross kidney transplantation) transplant operations were successfully performed simultaneously at Başkent University Konya Hospital by the expert team led by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal.

Blog

Domıno Liver Transplant

We performed liver transplantation from his mother to 11-year-old Ghazal, who came to our centre from Jordan and was diagnosed with oxalosis.

Blog

Konya Başkent Hospital International Patient Department Meets With Iraqi Doctors

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a leading name in the health sector, met with Iraqi Doctors.

Blog

Başkent University Konya Application And Research Center Take Strategic Steps In Health Tourism

Baskent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a leading name in the health sector, participated in the sectoral meetings called the 26th Health Tourism Vision Meetings.

Blog

Konya Başkent Hospital International Patient Department Meets With Iraq Academics

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a pioneer in the health sector, met with Iraqi Academics.

Blog

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center Take Strategic Steps in Health Tourism

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a leading name in the health sector, participated in the sectoral meetings called the 7th World Muslim Health Societies Congress and Fair.

Blog

The Address Of Health Was Again Konya Başkent Hospital

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a leading name in the health sector, became the address of health in 2022.

Blog

Konya Başkent Hospital International Patient Department Hosted Palestinian Doctors

Başkent University Konya Application and Research Center, which continues its activities with the responsibility of being a leading name in the health sector, hosted Palestinian Doctors.

Blog

Başkent University Health Care Group Gets Together

Baskent University Health Care Group is one of the leading university hospital groups in Turkey with its specialized medical departments.

?