Angina pectoris - These are attacks of sudden chest pain due to an acute lack of blood supply to the heart muscle; this is a clinical form of coronary heart disease.
With age, the prevalence of this disease is growing steadily among both men and women. At the age of 65 to 74 years, the frequency of angina pectoris varies from 10 to 20%. In many European countries, up to 40 thousand new patients annually appear who are sick with angina pectoris.
Angina pectoris - causes.
- maintaining a sedentary lifestyle.
- genetic predisposition.
- the presence of diabetes mellitus.
- use of nicotine.
- An increased level of cholesterol in the blood.
- hypertension (a steady increase in blood pressure).
- overweight and obesity.
Angina pectoris may not be connected with the heart and be exclusively reflex in nature:
It can occur during gallstone disease, as well as in acute bronchopulmonary diseases, exacerbations of diseases of the stomach and duodenum.
Congenital defects of the cardiovascular system can also cause angina pectoris.
Angina pectoris - symptoms
Most patients with angina pectoris feel discomfort or some kind of pain in the chest area. Often the pain radiates (radiates) to the left arm and shoulder, possibly the neck. Much less pain in the jaw and in the teeth. Pain can be accompanied by control disorders of the body, such as heartburn, colic and nausea. In rare cases, pain is very difficult to diagnose, localized exclusively in the epigastric region.
Attacks of angina pectoris more often occur with physical exertion, increased emotional arousal, after eating a large amount of food, staying at low ambient temperatures and with high blood pressure.
An attack of angina pectoris lasts approximately 1 to 15 minutes. It stops when the load disappears or when nitrates are ingested.
Angina pectoris - diagnosis
The basis of the diagnosis is a detailed survey of the patient. If in doubt, it is possible to conduct a test with physical activity in order to reveal latent coronary insufficiency. The patient may have signs of anemia, diabetic skin lesions, as well as xanthomas. An electrocardiogram can help determine the disease. An important point in the diagnosis is an x-ray examination of the chest.
Angina pectoris - treatment and prevention.
Attacks of this disease must be promptly stopped by taking nitroglycerin. And since this is a rather dangerous disease and its treatment should be carried out under the close supervision of a doctor, preferably in an inpatient setting.
In general, the direction of treatment is towards reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and normalizing the overall quality of life. It is necessary to completely get rid of bouts of angina pectoris, this will be possible if smoking is quit, rational dietary intake, as well as optimal physical stress on the body, and careful monitoring of blood pressure.
The prevention of atherosclerosis is the main preventive method of angina pectoris. Prevention itself should begin at age 35. It is advised to adhere to a balanced diet, with a restriction in food of animal fat and easily digestible carbohydrates.
