An anginal attack is a severe pain in the region of the heart associated with myocardial hypoxia. This condition occurs with angina pectoris and heart attack. Unpleasant sensations are localized behind the sternum and give to different parts of the body. They are compressive or compressive in nature. This symptom is always a sign of a serious cardiological pathology. Assistance in such cases should be provided immediately.
Causes of pain
An anginal attack is a reaction of the heart muscle to oxygen deficiency. This condition develops due to atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Their walls are covered with plaques, the blood supply to the myocardium worsens, as a result, pain occurs. This condition is a consequence of coronary heart disease.
With angina pectoris, the nutrition of the heart muscle is significantly reduced. However, blood still flows through the vessels, albeit in a small volume. With a heart attack, the nutrition of the heart muscle stops completely. Dead spots form on the myocardium. Therefore, a heart attack is accompanied by a much more pronounced pain syndrome.
The following factors can provoke a heart attack:
- physical overwork;
- emotional stress;
- smoking;
- binge eating;
- hypothermia;
- high blood pressure.
Often the pain in angina pectoris disappears on its own during rest, when the patient is at rest. This is a common occurrence in patients with cardiac ischemia. However, if pain occurs for the first time, then this requires emergency care. An anginal attack is a signal of the body about a serious trouble in the cardiovascular system.
In advanced cases of ischemia, pain appears not only with a load on the body. An attack can occur in a state of complete rest.
Pain syndrome with angina pectoris
During an attack of angina pectoris, the following symptoms are noted:
- After exposure to adverse factors, a person feels severe chest pain. Patients describe this sensation as constricting or constricting. Unpleasant sensations radiating to the shoulder, shoulder blade or jaw.
- A person's heart rate quickens.
- The patient is short of air.
- The general health worsens. There is a sharp weakness and increased sweating.
Pain can last from a few seconds to several days.
In some cases, an atypical course of an anginal attack is noted. This means that the pain does not appear in the heart, but in other parts of the body:
- in the upper abdomen;
- in the hands (in particular, in the fingers);
- in the shoulder blades;
- in the neck;
- in the throat;
- in the jaw;
- in the left ear;
- in the teeth.
With atypical symptoms, the disease is very difficult to diagnose. After all, pain in the heart is absent. Typically, such attacks are observed in patients with diabetes, heart failure, as well as in the elderly.
Some patients feel weakness in the hands and numbness of the fingers before the attack. And only after some time a pain syndrome develops.
A heart attack is not always accompanied by hypertension. It can proceed according to the collaptoid type. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure drops sharply, weakness, nausea and dizziness appear.
Heart attack symptoms
With an anginal attack of myocardial infarction, the pain syndrome is much more pronounced. A complete cessation of oxygen supply to the heart leads to a sharp deterioration in well-being:
- Pain in the heart becomes unbearable and prolonged.
- A person suffers from shortness of breath.
- The patient experiences intense fear.
- The blood pressure drops sharply.
- Cold sweat appears on the skin.
This condition requires emergency medical attention. Without treatment, myocardial infarction can be fatal.
First aid
If a person for a long time suffers from ischemia of the heart, and he periodically has angina, then unpleasant sensations can be removed at home. It is necessary to provide the patient with first aid for a sore throat:
- The patient needs to take a sitting position and not make sudden movements. If the attack found the patient during sleep, you need to sit on the bed and hang your legs.
- It is necessary to open the window to make it easier for the patient to breathe. Restricted clothing must be unfastened.
Then it is necessary to give the patient preparations for stopping a sore throat. The most commonly used medicine is Nitroglycerin. You need to put the tablet under the tongue and keep it until dissolved. This medicine usually works for 3-5 minutes. If the pain in the heart continues, then the drug is repeated. However, no more than three tablets can be taken in one attack. If the pain does not stop, medical attention is needed.
Currently, sprays for angina pectoris are produced: "Isoket", "Nitrominate". One injection under the tongue is equivalent to taking one dose of the drug. During the attack, the drug can be used no more than three times.
After taking nitrate drugs, the patient needs to be given an Aspirin tablet to thin the blood. If the patient is very excited and anxious, then you should take "Valocordin" or "Corvalol".
After providing emergency care for a sore throat and relieving acute pain, you need to measure blood pressure and heart rate. If the pressure is high, then a quick-acting antihypertensive should be taken. With heart palpitations, Anaprilin is indicated.
It should be remembered that "Nitroglycerin" and sprays can not always be taken. If the attack proceeds in a collaptoid form with a drop in blood pressure, then vasodilators are contraindicated. In this case, the following measures should be taken:
- Lay the patient down.
- Call an ambulance.
- Give an Aspirin tablet.
- To relieve pain, use analgesics: "Sedalgin", "Baralgin".
Call an ambulance immediately also in the following cases:
- If the patient first had an attack of angina pectoris.
- If the pain is not relieved by taking "Nitroglycerin" and the use of sprays.
- If the attack is more severe than usual, and the patient has vomiting.
- Urgent medical care is needed for a protracted angina attack that lasts more than 15 minutes. This condition often leads to myocardial infarction.
- If the pain builds up and is not relieved by drugs.
Before the doctor arrives, the patient needs to observe bed rest.
A detailed description of the rules for assisting with angina pectoris is given by a cardiologist in a video.
Diagnostics
With a heart attack, an electrocardiographic examination is mandatory. This helps to identify signs and degree of ischemia. Additionally do an ultrasound and X-ray of the myocardium.
If a patient with a myocardial infarction enters the hospital, then therapy and diagnosis are carried out simultaneously. In this case, you can not hesitate with treatment.
Additionally, a blood test for biochemical parameters. This allows you to determine the level of cholesterol and the presence of atherosclerosis.
Treatment
Further assistance to the patient is provided by the ambulance team. If necessary, the patient is placed in a hospital. If the pain does not stop, then re-take "Nitroglycerin". At the same time do intravenous injections of analgesics:
- "Baralgin."
- "Analgin."
- "Maksigan."
To enhance the analgesic effect, antihistamines (Suprastin, Diphenhydramine) and tranquilizers (Seduxen. Relanium) are administered.
With increased pressure, vasodilator drugs are used. If a sore throat proceeds according to the collapoid type, then they put droppers with Polyglukin.
Then the patient is given an ECG and, according to the results of the examination, drugs are prescribed for the treatment of ischemia.
Prevention
How to prevent a heart attack? Patients with cardiac ischemia should follow these recommendations:
- Visit a cardiologist regularly and undergo an ECG examination.
- Take prescribed medications for ischemia.
- Monitor blood pressure.
- Avoid overeating.
- Eliminate bad habits.
- Observe moderate physical activity.
- If possible, protect yourself from stress and, if necessary, take light sedatives (Valocordin, Corvalol).
These measures will help reduce the risk of anginal pain.