Summary about Disease
Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It's usually a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angina is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying heart problem. It often feels like squeezing, pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest. Angina can be stable (predictable and triggered by exertion) or unstable (unexpected and may occur at rest).
Symptoms
Chest pain or discomfort: Squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, burning, or aching in the chest.
Pain radiating to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea.
Fatigue.
Dizziness.
Sweating.
Causes
Coronary artery disease (CAD): Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.
Coronary artery spasm: Temporary tightening of the muscles in the artery walls, reducing blood flow.
Other conditions: Anemia, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Medicine Used
Nitrates: Nitroglycerin (sublingual tablets, sprays, or patches) to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Beta-blockers: To slow heart rate and lower blood pressure, reducing the heart's workload.
Calcium channel blockers: To relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Aspirin and other antiplatelet medications: To prevent blood clots.
Statins: To lower cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup.
Ranolazine: To help reduce the frequency of angina episodes.
Is Communicable
No, angina pectoris is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, managing stress.
Medication adherence: Taking prescribed medications as directed.
Avoidance of triggers: Identifying and avoiding activities or situations that trigger angina.
Regular medical checkups: Monitoring heart health and managing underlying conditions.
Recognizing warning signs: Knowing when to seek immediate medical attention for unstable angina.
How long does an outbreak last?
Angina isn't an outbreak. Individual episodes of angina usually last for a few minutes (typically 1-5 minutes) if triggered by exertion. Unstable angina can last longer and may not have a predictable trigger, requiring immediate medical attention.
How is it diagnosed?
Medical history and physical exam: Reviewing symptoms, risk factors, and family history.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): To measure the heart's electrical activity.
Stress test: To monitor heart function during exercise or with medication.
Echocardiogram: To visualize the heart's structure and function.
Coronary angiography: An X-ray using dye to visualize the coronary arteries.
Blood tests: To check cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other markers.
Timeline of Symptoms
Angina symptoms often follow a predictable pattern for stable angina:
Trigger: Physical exertion, emotional stress, exposure to cold.
Onset: Chest pain or discomfort begins.
Progression: Pain may gradually increase in intensity.
Duration: Typically lasts 1-5 minutes.
Relief: Pain usually subsides with rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina can have a less predictable timeline and may occur at rest or with minimal exertion.
Important Considerations
Angina is a warning sign of underlying heart disease.
Unstable angina is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
Lifestyle modifications and medical treatment can help manage angina and reduce the risk of heart attack.
Individual experiences with angina can vary.
It's important to communicate symptoms and concerns to your doctor.