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What
is angina ?--
Angina is the severe chest pain that occurs due to insufficient blood
supply to the heart.
The pain occurs in the mid portion or the left side of the chest.
It may radiate to the left upper extremity & less commonly to
the abdomen or at times to the head.
It generally appears after some exertion & subsides on rest.
What is the cause of angina ?--
It
is somewhat similar to muscle cramp with severe exercise. The muscles
of the heart are not getting sufficient oxygen for the work performed
by them.
This could be caused by narrowed coronaries (arteries supplying
the heart).
For details of Ischemic
heart disease & heart attack click here.
Why
does an anginal attack occur on exercise, emotional stress?
When one exercises, or experiences emotional stress active organs (e.g.
muscles in case of exercise) require more oxygen. Hence there is a
load on the heart. In turn the oxygen requirement of the heart
increases. If it does not get sufficient amount of oxygen as in
coronary insufficiency, an anginal attack is experienced.
What brings on angina?
Any stress; whether physical or emotional could bring about an anginal
episode. The stress causes an increase in the oxygen demand of the
heart & hence angina.
If I have angina; does that mean I will
get a heart attack ?
No. Angina only suggests that some of the heart muscles are not getting
sufficient oxygen. An attack of angina need not result into heart
attack.
Is all chest pain angina?
No. Take this simple questionnaire to know the exact
cause of your chest pain.
What are the small pills I hold under the
tongue when I have angina?
The small pills that one holds under the tongue are nitroglycerine
drugs. They cause dilatation of the arteries supplying the heart.
Thus an attack of angina is abolished.
What
should be done to decrease occurrence angina & the complications
?--
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Rational programming of activity i.e. many tasks which ordinarily evoke
angina can be accomplished without it simply by decreasing the speed at
which they are done. So there will be no angina simply by allowing a bit
more time for each work.
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Avoid exertion after meals.
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Avoid anger/frustration.
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Regular exercise-- It improves the coronary circulation & increases
the chances of survival. However the exercise should be within threshold
for development of angina. The physician should be contacted before starting
any exercises.
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Take a course in meditation & practice it. That is a good way to beat
the stress.
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Risk factor management--
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Avoid smoking
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Weight reduction.
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Proper & regular treatment of blood pressure (hypertension).
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Strict control of diabetes.
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Physician's advice about lipid levels.
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Drug therapy as prescribed by the physician.
A long & useful life is possible even
though one suffers from angina. There is nothing to panic about. Take the
medicines regularly & follow the advice & there will be nothing
to worry about.
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