Angina pectoris (angina pectoris) - symptoms, types, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment

The appearance of chest pain is always a cause for concern. However, in most cases, this is not a symptom that indicates a heart problem - chest pain is caused, among other things, by disorders in the digestive tract, heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux. Pain in the sternum often appears under the influence of unpleasant emotions, testifying, among other things, to neurotic disorders - earlier, pain in the region of the heart, which were associated with emotions, was called heart neurosis. Chest pain, which is localized behind the sternum, is a symptom that can also be associated, for example, with diseases of the spine. However, it should not be underestimated - if you experience pain in the heart area, consult a doctor!

Red flags that may indicate a link between chest pain and heart disease include:

• pain in the region of the heart with irradiation under the shoulder blades, in the left arm, left shoulder or neck and jaw,

• bridge baking,

• numbness of the left hand

• heartbeat,

• growing sense of anxiety

• pain in the abdomen, localized in the middle epigastrium or in the region of the right costal arch,

• weakness,

• feeling of lack of air.

These symptoms are symptoms of a heart attack that require immediate medical attention. Sometimes heart disease does not cause characteristic symptoms - their typical symptoms are more common in men.

What are the symptoms of angina pectoris?

Angina pectoris, or angina pectoris, is a set of symptoms that are associated with a decrease in the efficiency of the heart muscle. This is one of the forms of coronary heart disease. The symptoms of angina are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. However, in this case, we are not dealing with necrosis of myocardial cells.

Impaired blood flow through the coronary vessels, causing symptoms associated with myocardial ischemia, is an indication for the start of treatment to reduce the frequency of angina attacks and improve the condition of the heart. Moreover, the implementation of the doctor’s recommendations can reduce the risk of death and the risk of developing other diseases of the heart muscle.

Angina pectoris develops as a result of reduced blood flow through the coronary vessels of the heart and is associated with a high risk of developing coronary heart disease. Chest pain caused by physical effort should prompt diagnostic tests. The diagnosis of typical angina entitles the patient to an assessment of the risk of coronary artery disease, as well as changes in diet and lifestyle, as well as avoidance of stimulants, since these factors are the most common cause of coronary heart disease.

Types of angina pectoris

There are two types of angina pectoris. This:

• Stable angina is associated with chronic coronary insufficiency. It is characterized by mild symptoms.

• Unstable angina - associated with a pre-infarction state (acute coronary syndrome).

Risk factors for angina pectoris and ways to reduce them

Risk factors for coronary heart disease include:

• eating a diet rich in saturated fats

• passive lifestyle,

• chronic stress,

• smoking,

• alcohol abuse.

Risk factors for angina pectoris affect how the body functions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight and obesity. Changing the diet and lifestyle can improve the general condition of the body and reduce the risk of premature death.

In individuals with arterial hypertension, it is recommended to manage it by non-drug methods (diet with a reduced content of animal fats, physical activity) or pharmacological methods.

In case of overweight, it is recommended to reduce body weight under the supervision of a doctor - weight loss allows you to additionally unload a weakened heart, affecting the effectiveness of treatment and should include not only a properly balanced diet, but also physical activity. corresponds to capacity. People at risk should categorically refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking!

Ischemic heart disease (or ischemic heart disease) and associated angina are most commonly diagnosed in men over 45 years of age and women over 55 years of age. People at risk of developing coronary heart disease should be aware of systematic preventive examinations.

Diagnosis of angina pectoris

At the stage of diagnosing coronary heart disease, laboratory tests, echocardiography, ECG and other special tests are carried out.

Treatment of angina pectoris

Treatment of angina pectoris includes lifestyle modification, pharmacological treatment aimed, for example, at lowering blood pressure. to lower high levels of bad cholesterol. Sometimes it is necessary to perform a specialized operation, the purpose of which is to improve blood flow through the coronary vessels.

Sources:

• Frycz-Kurek et al., Stable coronary artery disease - epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment choice, Cardiac and vascular diseases, Via Medica 2008, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 125-133

• Andrzej Szczeklik, Piotr Gajewski, Internal Medicine Szczeklik, Practical Medicine, Krakow, 2014

• European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Working Group on the Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes, ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Coronary Syndromes (2019), Study Notebooks. Polish Cardiology, 1, 202