Angina Pectoris
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| Definition |
Angina, formally named angina
pectoris, ia acute pain in the chest, usually described as a feeling
of tightness, strangling, heaviness or suffocation. The pain is
normally concentrated on the left side of the chest beginning just
under the breastbone (sternum). Sometimes the pain moves to the
neck, throat and lower jaw and down the left arm. Individuals
experiencing this pain may feel like they are having a heart attack.
Angina is a warning sign that the heart is under special stress and
needs relief before a heart attack occurs.
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| Causes |
Angina is caused by a decrease in
the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. This is usually caused
by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the heart blood
vessels.
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| Treatment |
A person who believes they have
angina should be under a doctor's care. The doctor will try to
discover and treat the cause of the pain. The goals of treatment are
to increase blood flow to the heart itself and to decrease the work
the heart performs. Nitroglycerin is frequently used to treat
angina. Patients are often told to notify their doctor if the
nitroglycerin does not provide relief within 30 minutes. If pain is
not relieved, the doctor usually wants to examine the patient right
away. This may include calling 911 or an ambulance. When this
happens, testing to rule out a heart attack may be necessary.
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| Comments |
| Angina is an important warning sign
indicating that the heart muscle is not receiving enough blood and
oxygen. The chest pain associated with angina can sometimes be
mistaken for the chest pain of a heart attack. Patients with the new
onset of angina should seek medical attention.
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Related Links |
American Heart Association
American Heart Association’s site with index of educational
information. See Angina Pectoris and Angina Pectoris Treatments
topics.
National Library of Medicine
The National Library of Medicine provides useful patient education
for the consumer regarding angina.
HeartPoint
HeartPoint provides consumer friendly information via graphics and
text on the heart and numerous cardiac diseases.
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