Overview
Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. It is often a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), which occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the heart.
Signs and Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of angina include:
- Chest Pain: Pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or tightness in the chest, often behind the breastbone.
- Pain Radiating: Discomfort that may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
- Shortness of Breath: Feeling breathless, especially during physical activity or stress.
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or weakness.
- Nausea: Feeling nauseous or light-headed.
- Sweating: Cold sweats, particularly with chest discomfort.
Types
- Stable Angina: Predictable chest pain that occurs during physical exertion or emotional stress, usually relieved by rest or medication.
- Unstable Angina: Chest pain that occurs suddenly and unpredictably, often at rest or with minimal physical exertion. It may signal an impending heart attack.
- Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina: Chest pain caused by a spasm in the coronary artery, typically occurring at rest and during sleep.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing angina typically involves:
- Medical History: Discussion of symptoms, risk factors, and family history of heart disease.
- Physical Examination: Assessment of vital signs, chest auscultation, and evaluation for signs of heart disease.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Recording the heart's electrical activity to detect abnormal rhythms or changes suggestive of angina.
- Stress Test: Monitoring heart activity during physical exertion to provoke symptoms and assess heart function.
- Coronary Angiography: Injecting dye into the coronary arteries to visualize blood flow and identify blockages via X-ray (angiogram).
Treatment
Medical Treatments:
- Nitroglycerin: Medication to relieve acute angina symptoms by relaxing and widening blood vessels.
- Beta-Blockers: Medications to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and workload on the heart.
- Calcium Channel Blockers: Medications to relax and widen blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart.
- Aspirin and Antiplatelet Medications: Reducing the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks.
- Statins: Lowering cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
Surgical and Procedures:
- Angioplasty and Stenting: Using a catheter with a balloon to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, often placing a stent to keep the artery open.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): Surgery to create new pathways for blood flow using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass blocked arteries.
Lifestyle Changes:
- Healthy Diet: Low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium, high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Regular Exercise: Engaging in moderate physical activity as advised by a healthcare provider.
- Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall health.
FAQs
Q: What causes angina?
A: Angina is primarily caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles due to coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary artery spasm.
Q: Is angina a heart attack?
A: Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It can indicate underlying heart disease and may precede a heart attack, but they are not the same.
Q: Can angina be cured?
A: Angina can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes, medications, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. However, it may require ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Q: What are the risk factors for angina?
A: Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and family history of heart disease.
Q: How can I prevent angina?
A: Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, managing stress, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, can help reduce the risk of developing angina.
Complications
Complications of untreated or poorly managed angina may include heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), and reduced quality of life.
Prognosis
With proper management, including lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes procedures, many individuals with angina can lead active lives and reduce the risk of complications.
At Yatharth Hospital, our cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating angina. We provide comprehensive care and personalized treatment plans to improve heart health and quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our cardiac services.