Angina
What is angina?
Angina is an uncomfortable or dull pain in the chest. The centre of the chest will feel heavy and tight. This can spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach.
What causes it?
Angina is caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. A lack of oxygen to the heart can be the result of coronary atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries supplying blood to the heart). Narrow coronary arteries reduce the blood flow to the heart muscle. This is usually noticed at times when the heart muscle needs more blood supply, such as during exercise, extreme cold or after a heavy meal.
What are the risk factors?
You are at risk of angina if:
- You have a family history of atherosclerosis
- You have a high blood cholesterol level
- You have high blood pressure
- You are a cigarette smoker
- You have diabetes
It can also be caused by obesity, stress or a lack of exercise.
What are the symptoms?
- A squeezing or heavy pressing sensation on the chest which can spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach
- A constricting sensation in the throat
- Increased shortness of breath on exercise
- More severe unstable angina can be associated with the same symptoms at rest
How can you help to prevent angina?
- Try to eliminate the risk factors mentioned above
- Stop smoking
- Eat a varied and healthy diet including leafy vegetables, unprocessed cereals, low-fat and high-fibre products. Avoid saturated fats
- If you are overweight, speak to your doctor about a structured weight-loss programme
- Take regular exercise, e.g. walking. Speak to your doctor before beginning any new exercise regime
- If you suffer from diabetes, or high blood pressure, maintain treatment for these conditions
How can the doctor help?
- Your doctor can help identify and reduce risk factors, particularly in the treatment of high cholesterol and blood pressure that are not responding to lifestyle changes
- Prescribe medicines for relief of angina. For example aspirin, nitrates, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, potassium channel activators, and cholesterol lowering drugs
- Refer you for further examinations by a cardiologist, who may recommend surgery in severe cases