Angina is a form of heart disease where the blood flow to the heart is restricted by a blockage in one or more of the arteries that carry blood into the heart. When the coronary arteries become furred up and harden due to coronary heart disease (CHD) the heart muscles are starved of oxygen-rich blood, this can cause a heavy squeezing pain that can last between 5 to 30 minutes. This pain is called angina. Angina is basically chest pain due to heart not getting enough oxygen. Angina is a squeezing, crushing like pain, or discomfort, in the upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or shoulders. Angina is usually triggered by exertion or emotional stress. Pain may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, or gasping for breath. Angina pain lasts about 1 to 15 minutes, and is usually relieved by rest. Causes of Angina: Heart failure Narrowing of the aortic heart valve Anaemia Abnormal heart rhythms Fast, abnormal heart rhythms, Diseases of the heart muscle. Coronary artery spasm Uncontrolled high blood pressure Symptoms of Angina: Shortness of breath Nausea Feeling of moderate to severe indigestion that is persistent Perspiration Sharp, burning or cramping pain Numbness or a loss of feeling in your arms, shoulders or wrists. May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back Usually start in the chest behind the breastbone. Squeezing Pressure Tight crushing pain Types of Angina: There are 2 types of angina. The first one is Stable Angina. It refers to the demonstration of the symptoms after activities which exert once self like jogging or lifting a heavy weight. The other is Unstable Angina which occurs without provocation. You can be at rest; it can be sudden and also escalating. This is due to blood clots being released from the blood vessels. Test for Angina: . A blood test. To test for anaemia, cholesterol, thyroid hormones, heart enzymes as all these may be related to angina. . An ECG (electrocardiogram). A symptom-free ECG may be normal. However if your heart is stressed in one way or another, an abnormal ECG may be evident. Treatment for Angina: 1] Eliminating or minimizing risk factors of coronary artery disease by treating high blood pressure, lowering high cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, exercise and weight loss if needed. 2] Drug therapy, including beta-blockers, nitrates (such as nitroglycerin), calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and anti-clotting drugs. 3] Rest. 4] Make Lifestyle changes (aimed towards better health) 5] Reduce Obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure 6] Quit Smoking 7] Reduce Blood Sugar (If you have high blood sugar) 8] Avoid larger Meals 9] Reduce Stress (Try Meditation - It really helps!) 10] Juice therapy with cantaloupe juice is said to cure most angina pains. The adenosine compound found in the juice of fresh cantaloupe helps thin the blood. 11] Multivitamin and multiminerals. 12] Antioxidant complex 13] Bypass is a surgical procedure where a vein or artery is sewn in place around the arteries of the heart, to provide an increased blood flow to the heart.
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