Dorothy FarrarAngina pectoris
Angina pectoris ( heart tightness , chest tightness , heart pain ) refers to typical symptoms of coronary artery disease ( CHD ). Angina pectoris is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The burning or dull pain or the feeling of tightness in the chest usually occurs suddenly and can last for several minutes.
Was ist Angina pectoris?
Angina pectoris (heart and/or chest tightness, synonym stenocardia) is not an independent disease, but instead a symptom of various underlying cardiovascular diseases. In the case of angina pectoris, also known as stenocardia, a distinction is made between a stable and an unstable form. In the stable variant, the symptoms only appear when the heart muscle moves and is stressed .
The unstable form, on the other hand, is a constant companion, the symptoms are still present even when the patient is at rest and do not disappear when the lying position is changed, which can bring about an improvement in stable angina pectoris.
Causes
Angina pectoris is one of the cardinal symptoms of heart attack . The stable form does not yet represent a significant risk, the unstable, on the other hand, is a reason to see a doctor immediately.
Chest tightness not only indicates a possible imminent heart attack, but also almost any other disease of the heart muscle.
Coronary heart diseases , cardiac insufficiency or pericarditis or myocarditis come into question . Occasionally, angina pectoris occurs as a sign of a thyroid disorder: over and underfunctions as well as the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are possible.
There are also diseases of the stomach, intestines and surrounding organs that can cause symptoms similar to chest tightness and are therefore confused with it.
But angina also occurs with psychological stress if the trigger was strong enough. They then fall into the psychosomatic realm. They are also known as symptoms of depression . Before this can be determined as the cause, however, all physical problems must have been ruled out.
When to the doctor?
Angina pectoris is always a reason to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Sudden symptoms such as a feeling of pressure in the chest, pain radiating to the left arm, the neck area or the stomach area, shortness of breath , tightness and burning in the chest area can be an indication of an acute myocardial infarction and require medical evaluation as soon as possible. The same applies if the symptoms have recently increased, increased or been prolonged.
If similar symptoms have existed for a longer period of time without any perceptible change, an early diagnosis is also urgently recommended. This allows coronary heart disease to be detected early and treated appropriately. In addition, obesity, nicotine consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure and previous cases of acute myocardial infarction in the family as well as old age increase the risk of heart disease. Therefore, in these cases, if angina pectoris occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
If young people without these risk factors develop chest pains after heavy exertion , this usually comes from the muscle or bone system. If the pain can be triggered by pressure and if it becomes stable over time, it is not absolutely necessary to see a doctor. However, if the symptoms persist over a longer period of time or are increasing in intensity, prompt clarification is also advisable here.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of angina pectoris:
Angina pectoris (heart narrowing) is characterized by various symptoms. Typical symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, a feeling of pressure and oppression in the chest, outbreaks of sweat , and numbness in the upper extremities. It is not uncommon for those affected to suffer from the feeling of suffocating.
The course of stable angina pectoris is divided into individual stages. In the early stages, the complaints are not perceived at all or only rarely, for example, in the case of heavy or long-term stress. In the advanced stage, those affected are almost no longer physically resilient and symptoms even occur without stress (rest).
Diagnose
In the case of an acute form of angina pectoris, a doctor must first rule out a heart attack. For a more accurate diagnosis, the patient is subjected to an ECG and a blood test. If the heart attack can be ruled out as a possible cause of the narrow heart, a systematic questioning (anamnesis) is carried out by the doctor about the type and duration of the symptoms. In addition to examining blood pressure , cholesterol and blood sugar levels, other diagnostic methods such as heart ultrasound or cardio MRI can also be used.
Complications
Complications of angina pectoris include difficulty breathing and heart failure. There is a strong feeling of tightness in the chest area. Breathing is difficult. At the same time, there is pain behind the sternum. In severe cases and if no adequate treatment measures are taken, circulatory disorders in the heart muscle can occur.
The coronary arteries are not supplied with enough oxygen due to the narrowing of the bloodstream. The lack of oxygen causes the feeling of tightness that spreads to the left side of the chest. It increases as the physical load increases. At an advanced stage, this can already occur in everyday movements or processes such as climbing stairs or running. If the lack of oxygen persists and regular physical exertion is added, cardiac arrhythmia can occur.
The result is spontaneous discomfort or dizziness . In addition, permanent myocardial insufficiency is to be expected. As soon as the heart muscle strength decreases over a longer period of time, this results in a reduction in life expectancy. Another complication of angina pectoris is the risk of a heart attack. If the circulatory disorder persists or has to be classified as chronic, the probability of an acute heart attack increases. This can have deadly consequences. Most survivors suffer from temporary depression. There is often a change in lifestyle.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of angina pectoris always depends on the cause. First, a blood sample is taken to check for indicators of a heart problem. The heart attack is treated with the immediate administration of nitroglycerin to avert it.
If, on the other hand, there is another heart problem, the treatment must be adjusted accordingly – in the case of peri- and myocarditis, for example, antibiotics and painkillers are treated over a longer period of time.
Thyroid defects are treated with hormones or iodine , depending on the type of disorder. The chest tightness will disappear after some time. All other potential triggers of angina pectoris can also be cured quickly with medication or minor interventions.
If, on the other hand, there are psychological reasons, the treatment is geared towards the psyche and the problem is solved with medication or in a conversation. For short-term relief, angina pectoris can be treated by resting the upper body at a 45° angle or higher.
Outlook and prognosis
Angina pectoris associated with acute heart pain is classified into two stages with regard to the medical prognosis. The symptoms are not noticed at all or only moderately in the early stages. Most of the time only when there is a strong or lasting stressful situation.
A physical strain that is almost non-existent can be found in the advanced stage. In the further course, the symptoms even occur at rest, i.e. without exertion.
If the cause is arteriosclerosis , it must be treated, otherwise the deposits in the form of blood fats and other substances at the walls of the vessels will progress. The result is a chronic change in the vessel walls with increasing narrowing and a progressive reduction in elasticity. This leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen.
The prognosis must also take into account how many vessels are affected by constrictions and to what extent. Where these are located is also of great importance. With a one-vessel disease the prognosis is 4 deaths per 100 cases, with a two-vessel disease it is already 6-8 and with a three-vessel disease even 10-13.
It is therefore of the utmost importance to consult the doctor immediately at the first sign of angina pectoris, because with this clinical picture every minute is valuable to initiate emergency measures or outpatient treatment in good time.
Prevention
Cardiovascular diseases and angina pectoris are most effectively prevented by physical exercise and a balanced and healthy diet .
Greasy food and too little exercise are seen today as triggers for most heart diseases. In addition, one should also pay attention to stress , because this can trigger physical and psychological angina pectoris.
Relaxation and balance to the stressful everyday life are therefore particularly important. Metabolic diseases such as thyroid problems, on the other hand, cannot be prevented because they are usually hereditary.
Anyone who has already been diagnosed with such a disorder should regularly present to the doctor against angina pectoris and under no circumstances should they arbitrarily stop the therapy that was prescribed for them, as it prevents the recurrence of chest tightness and far more dangerous symptoms.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.