BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Chest pain arising from the heart, usually under the sternum
(breastbone), due to a lack of oxygen to the heart
muscle. It can be brought on by exercise, emotional
upset or heavy meals in a person who has a heart disorder.
Normally the arteries that supply blood to the heart
can cope with an increased demand, but if coronary
artery disease is present or high blood pressure, the
flow is restricted. It affects men over age 35 and postmenopausal
women.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Tightness, squeezing, pressure or ache in the chest.
Sudden breathing difficulty (sometimes).
Chest pain similar to indigestion.
A choking feeling in the throat.
Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, teeth or earlobes.
Heaviness, numbness, tingling or ache in the chest,
arm, shoulder, elbow or hand usually on the left side.
Pain between the shoulder blades.
CAUSES
Coronary-artery disease with partial blockage or
spasm of arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Anemia.
Overactive thyroid gland.
Heartbeat that is too fast.
Heart-valve disease.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus.
High blood pressure, high blood-cholesterol levels.
Excess intake of fat or salt.
Sedentary lifestyle, fatigue, overwork or stress.
Family history of coronary-artery disease.
Exposure to cold and wind.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Obtain medical treatment for underlying causes or
risks.
Don't smoke.
Eat a diet that is low in fat and low in salt. Lose weight
if you are overweight.
Avoid the stressful physical or emotional factors that
trigger angina attacks.
Exercise regularly after consulting doctor.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Minor angina can be relieved with rest and use of nitroglycerin
and other drugs. Other treatment may be necessary
to correct underlying diseases.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Heart attack.
Congestive heart failure.
Potentially fatal arrhythmias.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
The goal in treatment is to either reduce the oxygen
requirements or to increase the oxygen supply. This is
usually accomplished with medications.
If medications cannot control the angina, other treatment
possibilities include balloon angioplasty to open
blocked coronary arteries or surgery to bypass severely
blocked coronary arteries.
Follow suggestions under Preventive Measures.
Avoid situations that increase the heart's workload,
such as anger, temperature extremes, high altitude
(except in commercial airline flights), or sudden bursts
of activity.
Additional information available from the American
Heart Association, local branch listed in telephone
directory, or call (800) 242-8721.
MEDICATIONS
Nitroglycerin relieves acute symptoms of angina, but
it does not affect symptoms of other disorders. It can
work within seconds to relieve pain. Always keep it
with you for immediate use.
Other drugs for coronary disease, such as aspirin,
beta-blockers or calcium antagonists may be prescribed.
If they are, it is important to follow the prescribed drug
regimen.
ACTIVITY
Learn to adjust activities to minimize attacks.
Don't use angina as an excuse not to exercise. A regular
moderate exercise routine (determined by the doctor)
can help to control symptoms.
DIET
Low-fat, low-salt diet is recommended.
Weight loss diet if overweight.
NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF
- You have symptoms of angina pectoris.
- The following occur after diagnosis:
An attack of chest pain continues longer than 10 to
15 minutes, despite rest and treatment with nitroglycerin.
You wake from sleep with chest pain that does not
go away with 1 nitroglycerin tablet. If these attacks continue,
report them, even if nitroglycerin relieves them.
An attack occurs and the pain is different or more
severe than usual.
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