Angina or in other words called angina pectoris is a severe chest pain that is due to the blockage of oxygen to the heart tissues. With that said, angina is not a disease itself but it is an indication of an underlying disease.
Although angina is a relatively common ailment the symptoms are known to almost everyone. But there are cases when it can become difficult to distinguish between different types of chest pain. If you suffer from any unusual chest pain, seek medical assistance right away. In this blog, we will try to give you an explained exploration of angina pain and all the associated things.
To start with, there are different types of angina depending upon the cause. The major types are listed down below:
Table of Contents
1- Stable Angina
It is the most usual and frequently occurring type of angina. The situation can be aggravated by physical and strenuous activity. The time period of this angina pain attack is usually a few minutes and goes away on its own.
Taking rest and angina pain medications can help in this regard.
But the pain might be a warning sign that heart muscles are not getting enough oxygen supply and if this issue is left untreated then this can lead to a heart attack.
2- Unstable Angina
The unstable angina pain doesn’t follow any fashion in its progression. This can happen even if you are at rest and not doing any physical activity. This is comparatively a strong pain in the heart. The time duration of this unstable angina pain is significantly prolonged and it may occur on a periodic basis.
Unstable angina pain cannot be treated by rest and angina medications and is often dealt with as a medical emergency.
Causes of Angina Pain
There are many risk factors or causes that can extend your chances of angina pain. The major causes are discussed down below;
1- Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary arteries are the type of arteries that supply fresh blood to heart muscles. Like every other organ, the heart also needs an uninterrupted supply of blood which is higher in oxygen levels.
The obstruction in the coronary artery can lead to poor oxygenation of heart muscles as a result of which you might experience angina pain.
This angina pain is an indication that there is something wrong with the blood supply to the heart muscles and tissues.
2- High Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol levels are also one of the main factors that can cause angina pain. Bad cholesterol which is also called low-density lipid (LDL) is a potent factor in bringing this pain.
The higher amounts of cholesterols have higher chances to deposit in the arteries. And if the cholesterol is deposited in the coronary artery then it can block the blood supply to the heart muscles.
The cholesterol deposits can even dislodge and can freely move in the bloodstream and can cause a stroke.
Related: Get yourself checked for higher cholesterol levels in the blood through our website.
3- Smoking
Smoking can also lead to potentially life-threatening forms of angina pain. Smoking has many deleterious effects on the overall body.
Tobacco or cigarette smoking due to carcinogenic substances can lead to blood clotting within the blood vessels. Also, it can lead to the hardening of arteries that cannot transport oxygenated blood to heart muscles, the ultimate form of which is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction.
A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, avoiding smoking after an acute myocardial infarction can lead to better living conditions with the mortality rate reduced by 30-40%.
4- Diabetes
Diabetes can also be considered a risk factor for developing angina pain. Like smoking, diabetes also affects nearly every organ of your body. With that being said, diabetes affects the blood vessels badly.
Also, there are studies conducted that hint at a well-established relationship between diabetes type 2 and coronary artery disease or stable angina.
5- Family History
Heart diseases, be it high blood pressure or complications like angina tend to run in the families. If any of your parents have any heart-related disease then it is better to take precautions at an early age because as they say that prevention is better than cure.
Angina Symptoms:
There are many prominent signs and symptoms of angina pain. The most common are as follows:
- Chest pain that can propagate to arms and jaws
- The feeling of burning which might be mistaken for heartburn
- Dizziness and discomfort
- A feeling of pressure and squeezing on the chest
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
These angina symptoms can vary from person to person. Also, the stable angina symptoms can get better as early as the affected person takes rest or takes angina medications.
Angina Diagnosis
If you diagnose any abnormal pain in the chest then contact the healthcare provider on an immediate basis. The doctors then will run some tests that can detect the underlying cause. The tests that are usually performed while treating angina symptoms may include the following:
- Blood tests( primarily to detect any abnormal proteins in the blood)
- Electrocardiogram ECG
- MRI or chest X-Ray
- Angiography
- Cholesterol tests
Then after carefully observing the record and data collected through these tests, the doctors will suggest different treatment options.
Angina Treatment
After the initial diagnosis, the doctors or the healthcare provider will hop on treatments available.
The most common treatment options which are done to treat angina pain include the following:
- Medications to keep the coronary artery open
- Medications that can help with lowering blood pressure
- Medications that can treat the risk factors like diabetes and high cholesterol levels
In the worst-case scenario, there are certain cardiac procedures that can be performed to save the life of the patient experiencing an angina attack.
- Angioplasty
- Cardiac stents
- Bypass surgery
Preventions
There are things that can be done to prevent angina pain and angina symptoms. From daily routine to regular checkups with the doctor, there are a set of things that you can do to prevent the chances of contracting angina:
1- Lifestyle Changes
A life with some exercise or activity can largely decrease the chances of angina. Try to maintain a balanced weight.
You can also try these 14 gym-free moves that can help to improve heart health.
2- Dietary Modifications
Consuming a diet that is low in cholesterol can preferably reduce the risk of angina. Try to consume fresh fruits and vegetables so that the muscles of your body can get energy with no potential side effects.
3- Quit Smoking
If you are addicted to smoking then try to limit the use of it daily. With careful techniques try to quit smoking as early as possible.
4- Regular Checkup
Get in contact with the healthcare provider more religiously than ever before. If you have any mild heart-related disease, get it checked on an immediate basis. Also, try to get yourself tested after a span of three months. This will help to understand any underlying medical condition.
The Takeaway
Angina pain is no doubt a terrifying situation that can even put you in the shadows of death. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will reduce the chances of getting angina pain. Still, by any means, if you got angina pain then there is nothing to worry about as the advancements in the health sector can help you to live normally and can help in daily activities. Make an appointment today with the best cardiologist in the town and get yourself treated. To read more on heart health and lifestyle, visit our website healthwire.
