Angina – Symptoms, causes, types, and treatment

Angina is a common heart condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of angina, covering its symptoms, causes, types, and treatment options.

Symptoms of Angina

1. Chest Pain: The most common symptom of angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or tightness in the chest.
2. Pain in Other Areas: Angina can also cause discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back. The pain may radiate from the chest to these areas.
3. Shortness of Breath: Some individuals with angina may experience shortness of breath, especially during physical exertion or stress.
4. Nausea and Fatigue: Angina can lead to feelings of nausea, fatigue, sweating, and dizziness.

Causes of Angina

1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup.
2. Spasm of Coronary Arteries: In some cases, angina can occur due to a temporary spasm of the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart.
3. Other Factors: Risk factors for angina include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and stress.

Types of Angina

1. Stable Angina: This is the most common type of angina, occurring predictably during physical exertion or stress. The pain usually subsides with rest or medication.
2. Unstable Angina: Unstable angina is more severe and unpredictable. It can occur at rest and may not respond well to medication. It is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to a heart attack.
3. Variant (Prinzmetal’s) Angina: This rare type of angina occurs due to coronary artery spasm, often during rest. It can cause severe chest pain but may respond well to medication.

Treatment Options

1. Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, smoking cessation, and stress management.
2. Medications: Medications for angina include nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain, beta-blockers to reduce heart workload, calcium channel blockers to relax blood vessels, and statins to lower cholesterol.
3. Medical Procedures: In some cases, medical procedures may be necessary. These include angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries, stent placement to keep arteries open, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for severe blockages.
4. Cardiac Rehabilitation: After treatment, cardiac rehabilitation programs can help improve heart health through exercise, education, and support.

Conclusion

Angina is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Recognizing its symptoms, understanding its causes, and seeking appropriate treatment are essential for managing angina and reducing the risk of complications like heart attacks. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and following medical advice can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with angina.

Also read: Aortic Valve Stenosis – Symptoms, causes, types, and treatment