Angina isn't a
heart
attack, but it does mean that you're at greater risk of having a heart
attack than someone who doesn't have angina. The risk is even higher if you
have unstable angina. For these reasons, it's important that you know:
The usual pattern of your angina, if you have it
regularly.
What medicines you take (keep a list) and how to
take them. Make sure you're medicines are readily available.
How to control your angina.
The limits of your physical activity.
How and when to seek medical attention.
Know the Pattern of Your Angina
Stable angina usually occurs in a pattern. You
should know:
What causes the pain to occur
What angina pain feels like
How long the pain usually lasts
Whether rest or medicine relieves the pain
After several episodes, you will learn to recognize
when you're having angina. It's important for you to notice if the pattern
starts to change. Pattern changes may include angina that occurs more often,
lasts longer, is more severe, occurs without exertion, or doesn't go away with
rest or medicines.
These changes may be a sign that your symptoms are
getting worse or becoming unstable. You should seek medical help. Unstable
angina suggests that you're at high risk for a heart attack very soon.
Know Your Medicines
You should know what medicines you're taking, the
purpose of each, how and when to take them, and possible side effects. It's
very important that you know exactly when and how to take fast-acting
nitroglycerin or other nitrates to relieve chest pain.
It's also important to know how to correctly store
your angina medicines and when to replace them. Your doctor can advise you on
this.
If you have side effects from your medicines, let
your doctor know. You should never stop taking your medicines without your
doctor's approval.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or
concerns about taking your angina medicines. Tell him or her about any other
medicines you might be taking. Some medicines can cause serious problems if
they're taken with nitrates or other angina medicines.
Know How To Control Your Angina
After several episodes, you will know the level of
activity, stress, and other factors that can bring on your angina. By knowing
this, you can take steps to prevent or lessen the severity of episodes.
Physical Activity
Know what level of activity brings on your angina
and try to stop and rest before chest pain starts. For example, if walking up a
flight of stairs leads to chest pain, then stop halfway and rest before
continuing.
When chest pain occurs during exertion, stop and
rest or take your angina medicine. The pain should go away in a few minutes. If
the pain doesn't go away or lasts longer than usual, call 9–1–1 for
emergency care.
Emotional Stress
Anger, arguing, and worrying are examples of
emotional stress that can bring on an angina episode. Try to avoid or limit
situations that cause these emotions.
Exercise and relaxation can help relieve stress.
Alcohol and drug use play a part in causing stress and don't relieve it. If
stress is a problem for you, talk with your doctor about getting help for it.
Eating Large Meals
If this leads to chest pain, eat smaller meals.
Also, avoid eating rich foods.
Know the Limits of Your Physical Activity
Most people with stable angina can continue their
normal activities. This includes work, hobbies, and sexual relations. However,
if you do very strenuous activities or have a stressful job, talk to your
doctor.
Know How and When To Seek Medical Attention
If you have angina, you're at a higher risk for a
heart attack than someone who doesn't have angina. So it's very important that
you and your family know how and when to seek medical attention.
Talk to your doctor about making an emergency action
plan. The plan should include making sure you and your family members know:
The
signs
and symptoms of a heart attack
How to use aspirin and nitroglycerin when
needed
How to access emergency medical services in your
community
The location of the nearest hospital that offers
24-hour emergency heart care
Be sure to discuss your emergency plan with your
family members. Take action quickly if your chest pain becomes severe, lasts
longer than a few minutes, or isn't relieved by rest or medicine.
Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell the
difference between unstable angina and a heart attack. Either way, it's an
emergency situation, and you should call 9–1–1 right away.
Key Points
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs
when your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is the
symptom of an underlying heart condition, usually
coronary
artery disease (CAD).
CAD occurs when a fatty material called plaque
builds up on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. Plaque causes the
coronary arteries to become narrow and stiff. The flow of oxygen-rich blood to
the heart muscle is reduced.
Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain
in your chest. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or
back.
The most common types of angina are stable angina
and unstable angina. A rare type of angina is called variant angina.
Stable angina occurs when the heart is
working harder than usual. Pain from stable angina goes away when you rest or
take your angina medicine. Angina medicine, such as nitroglycerin, helps widen
and relax the arteries so that more blood can flow to the heart.
Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition
and needs emergency treatment. Unstable angina is a sign that a
heart
attack may happen soon. Unstable angina can occur with or without physical
exertion. It isn't relieved by rest or medicine.
Variant angina is caused by a spasm
(tightening) in a coronary artery. This narrowing of the artery slows or stops
blood flow to the heart muscle. The pain may be severe. This type of angina is
relieved by medicine.
Nearly 7 million people in the United States have
angina. It occurs equally in men and women.
Because angina is usually a symptom of CAD, its
risk factors are usually the same as
those for CAD.
Pain and discomfort are the main symptoms of
angina. Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), fatigue (tiredness), shortness
of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness also may occur.
If you have chest pain, your doctor will want to
find out whether it's angina. To diagnose angina, your doctor will do a
physical exam and ask about your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of
heart disease. He or she also may order tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments for angina include lifestyle changes,
medicines, medical procedures, and
cardiac
rehabilitation. Lifestyle changes include following a healthy eating plan,
quitting smoking, being physically active, losing weight, and learning how to
handle stress and relax.
You can prevent or lower your risk for angina and
CAD by making lifestyle changes and treating related conditions.
If you have angina, it's important to know the
pattern of your angina, what medicines you take (keep a list) and how often you
should take then, how to control your angina, and the limits on your physical
activity. You should know how and when to seek medical help.
