Angina
Pectoris
Angina
Vs. Heart Attack
Angina
may have similar symptoms to a heart attack,
such as a crushing, squeezing pain in the chest;
a feeling of pressure in the chest; and pain
radiating in the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck,
and/or back.
However,
unlike the chest pain associated with a heart
attack, the pain from angina usually goes away
within a few minutes with rest or with the use
of a cardiac prescription medication (i.e.,
nitroglycerin).
Angina
pectoris (or simply angina) is recurring chest
pain or discomfort that happens when some part
of the heart does not receive enough blood. Angina
is a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD),
which occurs when arteries that carry blood to
the heart become narrowed and blocked due to atherosclerosis.
Angina
pectoris occurs when the heart muscle (myocardium)
does not receive an adequate amount of blood needed
for a given level of work (insufficient blood
supply is called ischemia). The following are
the most common symptoms of angina. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:
- a pressing, squeezing,
or crushing pain, usually in the chest under
the breast bone, but may also occur in
the upper back, both arms, neck or ear lobes
- pain radiating in the
arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, and/or back
- shortness of breath
- weakness and/or fatigue
The
chest pain associated with angina usually begins
with physical exertion. Other triggers include
emotional stress, extreme cold and heat, heavy
meals, excessive alcohol consumption, and cigarette
smoking. Angina chest pain is usually relieved
within a few minutes by resting or by taking prescribed
cardiac medications.
The
symptoms of angina pectoris may resemble other
medical conditions or problems. Always consult
your physician for more information.
An episode
of angina does not indicate that a heart attack
is occurring, or that a heart attack is about
to occur. Angina does indicate, however, that
coronary heart disease is present and that some
part of the heart is not receiving an adequate
blood supply. Persons with angina have an increased
risk of heart attack.
A person
who has angina should note the patterns of his/her
symptoms - what causes the chest pain, what it
feels like, how long episodes usually last, and
whether medication relieves the pain. Call for
medical assistance if the angina episode symptoms
change sharply.
In addition
to a complete medical history and medical examination,
a physician can often diagnose angina pectoris
by noting the patient's symptoms and how/when
they occur. Certain diagnostic procedures may
also determine the severity of the coronary heart
disease, and may include:
- electrocardiogram
(ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical
activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms
(arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart
muscle damage.
- stress test (usually
with ECG; also called treadmill or exercise
ECG)
A test that is given while a patient walks on
a treadmill or pedals a stationary bicycle to
monitor the heart during exercise. Breathing
and blood pressure rates are also monitored.
A stress test may be used to detect coronary
artery disease, and/or to determine safe levels
of exercise following a heart attack or heart
surgery.
- cardiac catheterization
With this procedure, x-rays are taken after
a contrast agent is injected into an artery
to locate the narrowing, occlusions, and other
abnormalities of specific arteries.
Specific
treatment for angina pectoris will be determined
by the physician based on:
- your age, overall health,
and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for
specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the
course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
The
underlying coronary artery disease that causes
angina should be treated by controlling existing
risk factors: high blood pressure, cigarette smoking,
high blood cholesterol levels, and excess weight.
Medications
may be prescribed for people with angina. The
most common is nitroglycerin which helps to relieve
pain by widening the blood vessels. This allows
more blood flow to the heart muscle and decreases
the workload of the heart.
There
are two other forms of angina pectoris, including:
|
Variant
angina pectoris
(or Prinzmetal's angina): |
Microvascular
angina: |
- is rare
- occurs almost
exclusively when a person is at rest
- often does
not follow a period of physical exertion
or emotional stress
- attacks can
be very painful and usually occur between
midnight and 8 a.m.
|
- a recently
discovered type of angina
- patients with
this condition experience chest pain
but have no apparent coronary artery
blockages
- physicians
have found that the pain results from
poor function of tiny blood vessels
nourishing the heart as well as the
arms and legs
- can be treated
with some of the same medications used
for angina pectoris
|
Click
here to view the Online
Resources of Cardiovascular Disease
|
