Angina pectoris is one of the symptoms of coronary heart disease. Typically, the patient experiences a feeling of heaviness or pain of a pressing nature in the center of the chest, which can spread to the neck, arms, back. In some people, symptoms appear as painful sensations that extend into the arm, jaw, or neck.
Discomfort usually goes away after 10-15 minutes. In some people, pain of a pressing or constricting nature can be very severe, while others feel only slight discomfort. Attacks can occur after mental or physical exertion, as well as exposure to stress. There is also a spontaneous form of the disease that occurs for no apparent reason.
Disease feature
Angina pectoris is one of the most common variants of coronary heart disease, characterized by the occurrence of chest pain attacks. It is observed against the background of oxygen starvation of myocardial tissue, proceeding along with a narrowing of the lumen of the coronary arteries.
This disease is diagnosed mainly in older patients, the vast majority of which are men. Often, it becomes the cause of the development of conditions dangerous to humans, so it is important to recognize the first signs of a violation in a timely manner and to conduct quality treatment. Complications of angina pectoris are the result of untimely diagnosis of the course of the disease or ignoring the need for therapy.
Classification
Doctors have noted several different types of the disease. According to the classification of angina pectoris, there are such types as:
- first noted;
- stable;
- unstable.
A stable type of the disease occurs over a long time, characterized by the occurrence of regular attacks, but no special changes are observed. Unstable angina progresses all the time, and attacks are repeated more often, which can lead to the development of a heart attack.
After the first attack, the disease manifests itself in regular pains that become more stable and prolonged. Attacks become more frequent over time. This is only the main classification of angina pectoris, since there are other forms of the course of the disease.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of angina pectoris are a temporary decrease in blood flow in the heart muscle. This is observed with narrowing of the arteries of the heart when they are affected by atherosclerosis. Often attacks are provoked by physical effort or stress, which is explained by an exacerbation of oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle.
This provokes the accumulation of toxic substances, as well as metabolic products, irritating the nerve endings and provoking an attack of pain. Among the main provoking factors, one can distinguish such as:
- atherosclerosis;
- anemia;
- increased physical activity;
- emotional overstrain and stress;
- physical inactivity;
- smoking;
- genetic predisposition;
- diabetes.
Excessive physical activity or nerve stress can provoke an attack. Very often it can be when walking. More often, seizures occur after eating. Sometimes discomfort occurs even in a dream and then a person wakes up from pain. These are not all the causes of angina pectoris, therefore, when conducting therapy, it is necessary to establish a provoking factor in order to achieve a good result and get rid of excruciating pains.
The main symptoms
The attack is accompanied by the occurrence of characteristic pains. Initially, there is a certain discomfort behind the sternum, and then it gradually develops into persistent pain. Pain can be given to the shoulder, arm or neck, jaw, or spread throughout the chest.
Such an attack is always accompanied by fear and anxiety, however, if the patient takes a lying position, then the painful sensations only intensify. Pain during the course of angina pectoris has certain features, namely:
- she is constant, aching in nature;
- the attack can be stopped with nitroglycerin;
- occurs with intense physical exertion;
- duration approximately 20 minutes.
If symptoms of angina are often observed, what to do is necessary to know, as they can provoke various complications and significantly aggravate the patient’s well-being. It is worth noting that similar signs can also be observed with more serious heart pathologies.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of angina pectoris is made on the basis of a survey. If the first signs of a disease occur, you should definitely consult a doctor. He listens to the heart to determine the frequency and rhythm of the contractions, assess the general condition of the patient, and conduct a screening for diabetes. In addition, a blood test for cholesterol is prescribed. Additionally, such methods of diagnosing angina pectoris are prescribed as:
- electrocardiogram;
- echocardiogram;
- physical exercise tests;
- coronary angiography;
- radioisotope scanning.
An electrocardiogram makes it possible to record electrical activity and heart rate. This type of examination is completely painless and takes about 5 minutes. This method gives the required information regarding the presence and degree of angina pectoris, however, it is worth remembering that often disorders occur with increased physical activity, therefore, at rest, the cardiogram can show a normal result.
Echocardiography or ultrasound of the heart allows you to get a more accurate result. The device creates a received image on the screen, which is a signal reflected from different parts of the heart.
Treatment features
The treatment of angina pectoris has several goals at once, in particular such as:
- elimination of pain;
- restoration of coronary circulation;
- prevention of new attacks;
- reduced risk of complications.
First of all, patients need to change their usual lifestyle and adjust their diet. An important component of the comprehensive treatment of angina pectoris is diet therapy. Patients need to give up fatty and junk food, consume more fruits and vegetables in order to saturate the body with the required vitamins and minerals.
It is strictly forbidden to drink coffee, as it provokes the appearance of new attacks. Drugs that have an anti-ischemic effect are indicated for the treatment of angina pectoris, and the use of such medications as:
- antihypertensives;
- statins
- antiplatelet agents.
In addition, traditional methods and means of physiotherapy are widely used for therapy. In particularly difficult cases, surgery may be required. It is worth noting that it is impossible to completely get rid of this disease. However, with strict compliance with all requirements, proper nutrition and taking medications, you can prevent the risk of complications.
Drug therapy
What medications for angina pectoris can be taken only by the attending doctor, based on the results of the diagnosis. First of all, you need to try to reduce the manifestation of symptoms and the further development of the pathological condition. This can be done with drugs. Treatment of angina pectoris with drugs involves the use of several types of drugs so that you can immediately act comprehensively. For the treatment, such means are used as:
- nitrates;
- calcium channel antagonists;
- adrenergic blockers;
- diuretics.
Thanks to the use of such drugs, it is possible to normalize the patient's condition, as well as the functioning of the heart muscle and respiratory system. In addition, they help eliminate pain, relieve cramping and shortness of breath.
For the treatment of angina pectoris, nitrates are often prescribed, as these drugs help eliminate painful sensations. Due to the expansion of blood vessels, it is possible to achieve normalization of the outflow of blood. Among the most popular means of this group, it is necessary to highlight "Nitrosorbide", "Nitroglycerin", "Isosorbide dinitrate", and you can also use transdermal stickers.
It is possible to quickly help a patient with angina pectoris with the help of Nitroglycerin, since this drug helps to quickly stop painful attacks and does not have a negative effect on the body. To eliminate an acute attack, you need to put one tablet under the tongue, and the effect of the drug will come in a few minutes.
The use of adrenoreceptor blockers, which reduce the contraction of the heart muscle, is also indicated. Their effect is manifested only with physical activity. Among the most popular drugs in this group, Anaprilin, Atenolol, and Betaxolol should be distinguished. When using these medicines, it is necessary to take into account the available indications and contraindications.
Calcium channel antagonists have a very good effect on the myocardium, blocking certain protein compounds involved in spasm of arteries and blood vessels. With the use of these medications, blood circulation is significantly improved. Among these drugs, “Verapamil”, “Diltiazem”, “Gallopamil” should be distinguished.
Diuretics, which, due to their diuretic action, are able to reduce swelling, are considered essential drugs used to treat angina pectoris. They are prescribed by the doctor as part of complex therapy, along with other means. Among the most popular drugs can be identified such as “Lasix”, “Chlortalidone”, “Amlodipine”.
It is worth noting that all drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor who determines the dosage and course of administration.
Folk techniques
Alternative treatment of angina pectoris gives a fairly good result, however, it is worth noting that it is best to use these drugs in a complex, along with medications. Decoctions, tinctures, teas, drops prepared on the basis of medicinal herbs very well help. Of medicinal plants are widely used:
- Walnut;
- Adonis grass
- fruits of hawthorn;
- St. John's wort
- motherwort.
To increase immunity and eliminate signs of nervous exhaustion, you need to use tincture of hawthorn. To prepare it, pour the berries with boiled water, leave for a day, and then take it as tea before eating.
The most effective means is honey, which is used to treat many diseases. This tool helps to normalize the general well-being of a person, and, in addition, it contributes to:
- increase in hemoglobin level;
- relieving signs of heart disease;
- normalization of cardiovascular tone;
- improving blood composition.
All these factors contribute to improving the well-being of a patient with angina pectoris. For effective therapy, you need to prepare a honey elixir. To prepare it, you need to mix 300 g of honey, 150 g of aloe, juice of 2 lemons, 0.5 kg of walnuts. All components must be thoroughly mixed together to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Take medicine before each food intake for 1 tbsp. l It must be stored in a refrigerator in a glass container.
Garlic has a very good effect on the functioning of the heart, and with its help it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an attack of angina. To do this, you need to consume garlic broth. You can also cook pulp from garlic. To prepare this mixture, you need to take 5 heads of garlic and crush each clove to get garlic mashed potatoes. Then mix it with 1 liter of honey and juice of 10 lemons.
This mixture should be stored in a cool place so that the product is well infused. After a week, the medicine is ready for use. You need to eat 1-2 tbsp. l in the morning before meals, chewing thoroughly. Treatment should be continued until the medicine is over.
You can treat angina pectoris with lemon, which is why this fruit is part of many medicines. To eliminate and prevent the symptoms of the disease, you can use the peel of a lemon. It is good to eat before every meal. After about a week, you can notice a significant improvement in well-being.
Angina can also be treated with medicinal herbs. You can prepare a healing herbal collection, which includes flowers and fruits of hawthorn, dill, mistletoe, mint, St. John's wort. All this needs to be mixed, poured with hot water, insisted for 10 minutes and taken 2 times a day. Some herbs have a sedative effect, so you need to take them very carefully.
Alternative methods of therapy are available and very easy to use, but first you need to get a specialist consultation. Self-medication can only harm and worsen well-being.
Dieting
If you strictly follow clinical recommendations for angina pectoris, you can achieve normalization of well-being and reduce the frequency of attacks. With a stable course of the disease, you need to adjust the diet. Doctors recommend following these rules:
- avoid overeating;
- control cholesterol;
- introduce fish of fatty varieties into the diet;
- fresh garlic and onions should be present;
- the menu should contain fruits and vegetables;
- rosehip and liver broth will be useful.
It is necessary to abandon the consumption of tea, coffee and alcohol. Food intake should be quite frequent, at least 5 times a day, but you need to eat in small portions. Such a diet will help balance the metabolism, which will lead to a decrease in the patient’s weight, as obesity is considered one of the causes of angina pectoris.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
During treatment, the patient may be prescribed physiotherapeutic techniques, depending on the complexity of the course of the disease and the presence of contraindications. To normalize the functioning of the nervous system, as well as to prevent myocardial infarction, you can apply such techniques as:
- hardware;
- therapeutic baths;
- electric sleep.
However, it is worth remembering that all these methods have certain contraindications, which include such as:
- hypertension;
- arrhythmia, heart disease;
- progressive angina pectoris;
- asthma, circulatory failure.
If violations were detected during the diagnosis, then the patient is prescribed various physiotherapeutic procedures. All treatment methods are assigned to the patient purely individually, it all depends on the course of the underlying and concomitant diseases. With a persistent form of angina, physiotherapeutic treatment with microwave rays can be used.
This will normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, improve blood microcirculation, and also prevent the development of a heart attack. The stable form of the disease can be treated much easier and faster, and also has much less contraindications to the appointment of various procedures.
Surgery
Among many different surgical procedures, coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty have become very popular. Carrying out such operations makes it possible to control the frequency of seizures, disrupting the transmission of pulses.
Balloon surgery is considered an alternative and is an invasive technique for restoring cardiac circulation. It is carried out for many diseases of the cardiovascular system, including also pain. Such a surgical intervention consists of several stages, namely:
- insertion of a catheter into the vessels;
- moving it to the desired location of the artery;
- balloon inflating.
After this, plaque ruptures, thereby freeing the artery and increasing its lumen. At the end of the operation, the patient is assigned a second ECG, and he is transferred to the intensive care unit. The doctor prescribes postoperative treatment to prevent complications.
Bypass surgery is performed for severe disease. During surgery, a new blood circulation pathway is formed. The purpose of such a treatment is to restore normal circulation in all affected arteries, so the number of shunts for each patient is selected individually.
Possible complications
It is very important to understand why angina is dangerous, as many underestimate the seriousness of their condition. First of all, this disease threatens with serious consequences and complications and often leads to death.
Over time, angina pectoris can develop into more complex types of coronary heart disease. In addition, there may be myocardial infarction with a large area of necrosis or sudden death. Angina pectoris over time can lead to disability of the patient and the development of life-threatening pathologies.
Prophylaxis
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