Case 1.10 Angina Pectoris
1.10 Angina Pectoris:
Angina–also sometimes called angina pectoris—is a symptom of an underlying heart condition. It means that the heart is not getting enough blood and as a result, not enough oxygen. This decrease of oxygen being delivered to the muscle of the heart happens if one or more coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, a condition called atherosclerosis.
This type of blockage may result in chest pain. And while angina does not usually damage the heart, and the pain might only last a few minutes.
1.10.1 Types of angina:
1. Stable angina: it occurs when the heart has to work harder than normal, during exercise, for example. It has a regular pattern, and if you already know that you have stable angina, you will be able to predict the pattern. Once you stop exercising, or take medication (usually nitroglycerin) the pain goes …show more content…
away, usually within a few minutes.
2. Unstable angina: it is more serious, and may be a sign that a heart attack could happen soon. There is no predictable pattern to this kind of angina; it can just as easily occur during exercise as it can while you are resting. It should always be treated as an emergency.
1.10.2 Risk factors:
1. High blood pressure
2. Diabetes
3.
Unhealthy cholesterol levels
4. Smoking 5. Lack of exercise
6. Obesity
7. Too much salt in your diet 8. Excessive use of alcohol 9. Family history of cad or stroke
10. Age - the risk increases for men over the age of 45 and for women over the age of 55
1.10.3 Symptoms of angina: The symptoms of angina are different for different people, but regardless, they are usually experienced after heavy exercise or because of emotional stress.
1. pain that begins in the middle of your chest and then spreads to your left arm, back, neck or jaw; usually this is not a sharp pain, but a dull one
2. a feeling of pressure, tightness or squeezing in your chest or arms
3. a feeling of persistent indigestion that is moderate or severe
4. numbness, or a lack of feeling in your arms, shoulders or wrists
1.10.4 Treatments:
1. Nitrates: these are available in a number of different forms .Headache is a possible side effect.
2. Beta-blockers: Is a class of medicines used to treat several kinds of heart disease. They work by lowering blood pressure, and slowing your heart rate which means your heart doesn’t have to work as
hard.
3. Calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists: these work by lowering blood pressure and slowing your heart rate, and are often used if you cannot take a beta-blocker. They may be useful to treat coronary artery spasm.
4. Antiplatelet medications are blood thinners that work by preventing blood clots from forming and blocking your arteries. The most commonly used antiplatelet medication is aspirin, which works by preventing platelets from sticking to blood vessel walls. An enteric-coated aspirin is generally recommended because it is easier on the stomach. Other medications can be used to stop platelets from sticking together. They may be used to reduce the risk of clot-induced heart attacks or strokes.
Angina–also sometimes called angina pectoris—is a symptom of an underlying heart condition. It means that the heart is not getting enough blood and as a result, not enough oxygen. This decrease of oxygen being delivered to the muscle of the heart happens if one or more coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, a condition called atherosclerosis.
This type of blockage may result in chest pain. And while angina does not usually damage the heart, and the pain might only last a few minutes.
1.10.1 Types of angina:
1. Stable angina: it occurs when the heart has to work harder than normal, during exercise, for example. It has a regular pattern, and if you already know that you have stable angina, you will be able to predict the pattern. Once you stop exercising, or take medication (usually nitroglycerin) the pain goes …show more content…
away, usually within a few minutes.
2. Unstable angina: it is more serious, and may be a sign that a heart attack could happen soon. There is no predictable pattern to this kind of angina; it can just as easily occur during exercise as it can while you are resting. It should always be treated as an emergency.
1.10.2 Risk factors:
1. High blood pressure
2. Diabetes
3.
Unhealthy cholesterol levels
4. Smoking 5. Lack of exercise
6. Obesity
7. Too much salt in your diet 8. Excessive use of alcohol 9. Family history of cad or stroke
10. Age - the risk increases for men over the age of 45 and for women over the age of 55
1.10.3 Symptoms of angina: The symptoms of angina are different for different people, but regardless, they are usually experienced after heavy exercise or because of emotional stress.
1. pain that begins in the middle of your chest and then spreads to your left arm, back, neck or jaw; usually this is not a sharp pain, but a dull one
2. a feeling of pressure, tightness or squeezing in your chest or arms
3. a feeling of persistent indigestion that is moderate or severe
4. numbness, or a lack of feeling in your arms, shoulders or wrists
1.10.4 Treatments:
1. Nitrates: these are available in a number of different forms .Headache is a possible side effect.
2. Beta-blockers: Is a class of medicines used to treat several kinds of heart disease. They work by lowering blood pressure, and slowing your heart rate which means your heart doesn’t have to work as
hard.
3. Calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists: these work by lowering blood pressure and slowing your heart rate, and are often used if you cannot take a beta-blocker. They may be useful to treat coronary artery spasm.
4. Antiplatelet medications are blood thinners that work by preventing blood clots from forming and blocking your arteries. The most commonly used antiplatelet medication is aspirin, which works by preventing platelets from sticking to blood vessel walls. An enteric-coated aspirin is generally recommended because it is easier on the stomach. Other medications can be used to stop platelets from sticking together. They may be used to reduce the risk of clot-induced heart attacks or strokes.