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Angina
What is Angina?
Angina is the pain or discomfort that results when the heart muscle does not receive the blood and oxygen it needs. Each person with angina has his or her own pattern of symptoms. The way angina feels will vary from person to person:
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It may be a pressure, heaviness, squeezing, tightness, pain, or burning.
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It is most often a pressure or pain in the chest that may spread to one or both arms.
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It may be felt in the neck, jaw, throat, shoulders, arms, or back (with or without chest symptoms).
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It may feel like indigestion.
What Causes Angina?
Angina is not a heart attack - but it is a warning sign of a condition that can lead to heart attack. It is most often a sign of coronary artery disease. This is the build-up of fatty plaque inside the arteries that feed the heart muscle. The plaque blocks much of the blood flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle is deprived of some of the blood and oxygen it needs (see the diagram).
A rare cause of angina is coronary artery spasm. In some persons, with or without coronary artery disease, a section of an artery contracts or narrows temporarily, and blood flow is blocked. The cause of this is unknown.
What Triggers Angina Symptoms?
The amount of blood and oxygen the heart muscle needs can vary from moment to moment. Anything that causes the heart to work harder will cause a greater demand for blood and oxygen. Although angina can occur at rest, it usually occurs during those times when the heart works hardest and its needs are greatest, such as:
What Should You Do If You Have Angina?
If you have never had angina and you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above:
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Stop what you are doing and rest.
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If you do not have Nitroglycerin (NTG) tablets, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
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If you have NTG tablets, sit down and take one tablet under the toungue. If the symptoms are not relieved in three to five minutes, take another tablet. Repeat every three to five minutes if needed. If symptoms are not relieved within 15 minutes call 911 or go to the emergency room.
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Even if the symptoms are brief, call your doctor to report what happened.
If you have had angina in the past, then you know your own pattern and how to deal with it. You should follow the same steps just listed for NTG. You should always report any change in your usual angina pattern. Call your doctor or emergency personnel if your symptoms become more severe or if they occur at rest for the first time.
Can You Prevent Angina?
Angina cannot always be prevented. But some attacks of angina might be avoided or controlled by steps such as these:
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Your doctor may prescribe certain drugs to help keep the arteries open or to decrease the workload of your heart.
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If you can't avoid certain activities that you know will bring on symptoms, talk with your doctor about taking NTG before these activities. For example, some patients take NTG before sexual activity.
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Learn to pace yourself and your schedule to avoid placing extra demands on your heart. For example: Rest or relax after large meals; avoid heavy pushing or pulling; don't exert yourself in very hot or very cold weather.
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Your doctor may suggest that you start an exercise program to help improve your level of heart and lung fitness
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Do
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