What Is Angina?
Angina literally means "choking pain," and angina pectoris refers to a painful or uncomfortable sensation in the chest that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen due to disease in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. The word "coronary" means a crown and is the name given to the arteries that circle the heart like a crown.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease.
Coronary heart disease develops when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the blood to the heart become narrower than they used to be, due to the buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the wall of the artery, affecting the blood flow to the heart muscle. Without an adequate blood supply, heart muscle tissue can be damaged.
Deposits of cholesterol and other fat-like substances can build up in the inner lining of these blood vessels and become coated with scar tissue, forming a cholesterol-rich bump in the blood vessel wall known as plaque. Plaque buildup narrows and hardens the blood vessel, a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Eventually these plaque deposits can build up to significantly reduce or block blood flow to the heart. A person may experience chest pain or discomfort from inadequate blood flow to the heart, especially during exercise when the heart needs more oxygen.
Angina is the body's warning sign that the heart is being overworked. It can be experienced in a variety of ways.
Angina usually manifests as a feeling of pain, pressure, or tightness in the middle chest, especially behind the sternum (breastbone).
The sensation may spread to the left shoulder, arm, and hand, or to the neck, throat, and jaw.
The attack typically lasts for only a few minutes
An attack of angina does not cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. This is the main difference between angina and a heart attack, during which part of the heart muscle suffers permanent damage (unless the new clot-busting drugs are given in time).
Stable versus unstable angina
It is very important to distinguish between two types of angina: stable angina and unstable angina. Both types result from problems within the coronary arteries.
Unstable angina can be dangerous, while stable angina, generally is less serious. In order to identify which condition is present, a physician looks at when the angina pain occurs:
Stable angina usually occurs during physical exertion or emotional stress or excitement. Stable angina doesn't lead to a heart attack in most people.
Unstable angina can occur during rest, can awaken a person from sleep, and can appear suddenly during physical exertion. Unstable angina may quickly progress to a heart attack.
Angina may occur during everyday activities such as:
· Rapid walking or running
· Lifting or carrying a weight
· Becoming angry or excited
· Shoveling snow
· Physical stress after eating (when food is still being digested)
· Sexual intercourse (rarely)
The sensation of stable angina usually wears off after the angina-causing activity ends. Attacks typically last for only a few minutes. Symptoms may be worse in cold weather.
Because the sensation of angina, is alarming, many people believe they are having a heart attack the first time they experience it. But stable angina is NOT a heart attack. In fact, most people with stable angina respond well to modern treatments and live full lives for many years - if they follow their physician's advice, take medication as prescribed, and learn to look after their hearts.
Although angina therapy is better than ever before, successful treatment depends upon close cooperation between the individual and the healthcare team. The person with angina must assume a lifestyle that minimizes the risk of further heart trouble.
What Causes Angina?
The coronary arteries are small arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. This blood flow provides the oxygen and nutrients needed by the heart itself so that it can keep pumping. If the heart has to speed up (for example, during exercise or periods of excitement) and cannot get the blood it needs, it will send out a signal in the form of angina.
The three major coronary arteries are the:
· Left anterior descending artery
· Left circumflex artery
· Right coronary artery
Most people with angina have blockages in one or more of these arteries and/or their branches. A cardiologist (heart specialist) will perform various tests to determine the location and extent of the blockage.
The two major causes of angina are:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Coronary artery spasm
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
In almost all cases, the underlying cause of angina is the critical narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Atherosclerosis, is the term used to describe the gradual buildup and hardening of atheromas within the arterial walls. It is commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries."
The more atheromas that line the coronary arteries, the narrower the pathway for blood. Atherosclerosis often restricts as much as 70% of the blood that flows through the coronary arteries. Although the heart muscle receives enough blood for routine activities like walking or sitting, myocardial ischemia, (insufficient blood in the heart muscle) results when the narrow arteries do not allow enough blood to reach the heart during periods of physical or emotional stress. This lack of blood will trigger an episode of angina.
Angina literally means "choking pain," and angina pectoris refers to a painful or uncomfortable sensation in the chest that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen due to disease in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. The word "coronary" means a crown and is the name given to the arteries that circle the heart like a crown.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease.
Coronary heart disease develops when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the blood to the heart become narrower than they used to be, due to the buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the wall of the artery, affecting the blood flow to the heart muscle. Without an adequate blood supply, heart muscle tissue can be damaged.
Deposits of cholesterol and other fat-like substances can build up in the inner lining of these blood vessels and become coated with scar tissue, forming a cholesterol-rich bump in the blood vessel wall known as plaque. Plaque buildup narrows and hardens the blood vessel, a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Eventually these plaque deposits can build up to significantly reduce or block blood flow to the heart. A person may experience chest pain or discomfort from inadequate blood flow to the heart, especially during exercise when the heart needs more oxygen.
Angina is the body's warning sign that the heart is being overworked. It can be experienced in a variety of ways.
Angina usually manifests as a feeling of pain, pressure, or tightness in the middle chest, especially behind the sternum (breastbone).
The sensation may spread to the left shoulder, arm, and hand, or to the neck, throat, and jaw.
The attack typically lasts for only a few minutes
An attack of angina does not cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. This is the main difference between angina and a heart attack, during which part of the heart muscle suffers permanent damage (unless the new clot-busting drugs are given in time).
Stable versus unstable angina
It is very important to distinguish between two types of angina: stable angina and unstable angina. Both types result from problems within the coronary arteries.
Unstable angina can be dangerous, while stable angina, generally is less serious. In order to identify which condition is present, a physician looks at when the angina pain occurs:
Stable angina usually occurs during physical exertion or emotional stress or excitement. Stable angina doesn't lead to a heart attack in most people.
Unstable angina can occur during rest, can awaken a person from sleep, and can appear suddenly during physical exertion. Unstable angina may quickly progress to a heart attack.
Angina may occur during everyday activities such as:
· Rapid walking or running
· Lifting or carrying a weight
· Becoming angry or excited
· Shoveling snow
· Physical stress after eating (when food is still being digested)
· Sexual intercourse (rarely)
The sensation of stable angina usually wears off after the angina-causing activity ends. Attacks typically last for only a few minutes. Symptoms may be worse in cold weather.
Because the sensation of angina, is alarming, many people believe they are having a heart attack the first time they experience it. But stable angina is NOT a heart attack. In fact, most people with stable angina respond well to modern treatments and live full lives for many years - if they follow their physician's advice, take medication as prescribed, and learn to look after their hearts.
Although angina therapy is better than ever before, successful treatment depends upon close cooperation between the individual and the healthcare team. The person with angina must assume a lifestyle that minimizes the risk of further heart trouble.
What Causes Angina?
The coronary arteries are small arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. This blood flow provides the oxygen and nutrients needed by the heart itself so that it can keep pumping. If the heart has to speed up (for example, during exercise or periods of excitement) and cannot get the blood it needs, it will send out a signal in the form of angina.
The three major coronary arteries are the:
· Left anterior descending artery
· Left circumflex artery
· Right coronary artery
Most people with angina have blockages in one or more of these arteries and/or their branches. A cardiologist (heart specialist) will perform various tests to determine the location and extent of the blockage.
The two major causes of angina are:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Coronary artery spasm
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
In almost all cases, the underlying cause of angina is the critical narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Atherosclerosis, is the term used to describe the gradual buildup and hardening of atheromas within the arterial walls. It is commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries."
The more atheromas that line the coronary arteries, the narrower the pathway for blood. Atherosclerosis often restricts as much as 70% of the blood that flows through the coronary arteries. Although the heart muscle receives enough blood for routine activities like walking or sitting, myocardial ischemia, (insufficient blood in the heart muscle) results when the narrow arteries do not allow enough blood to reach the heart during periods of physical or emotional stress. This lack of blood will trigger an episode of angina.
The exact cause(s) of coronary artery disease remains unknown. Yet experts have identified some of the risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting this disease. They include:
· Aging
· High blood pressure (hypertension)
· Cigarette smoking
· High blood cholesterol
· Being overweight
· Lack of exercise
· Family history of angina or heart attack at a young age
· Diabetes
· Certain individuals, though, develop angina without having any of the above common risk factors for CAD.
· Coronary artery spasm
People with variant angina often experience an active phase of the disease in which they are at particular risk for:
· Serious cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), such as ventricular tachycardia, (rapid rate of the left, pumping chamber of the heart) and fibrillation, (rapid, uncoordinated contraction [squeezing] of the heart muscle)
· Myocardial infarction (MI; a heart attack)
· Sudden death
Chest pain is the major symptom of angina. People who have angina often experience:
Crushing pain, "Heaviness," or Tightness in the middle of the chest.
It may feel as if someone is squeezing or pressing on the heart, or it may feel like a stabbing pain or numbness.
The sensation:
· Ordinarily lasts from one to 10 minutes
· May spread to the left shoulder, arm, and hand or to the neck, throat, and jaw
· Sometimes there are additional symptoms such as:
· Sweating
· Nausea
· Breathing difficulties
· Aging
· High blood pressure (hypertension)
· Cigarette smoking
· High blood cholesterol
· Being overweight
· Lack of exercise
· Family history of angina or heart attack at a young age
· Diabetes
· Certain individuals, though, develop angina without having any of the above common risk factors for CAD.
· Coronary artery spasm
People with variant angina often experience an active phase of the disease in which they are at particular risk for:
· Serious cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), such as ventricular tachycardia, (rapid rate of the left, pumping chamber of the heart) and fibrillation, (rapid, uncoordinated contraction [squeezing] of the heart muscle)
· Myocardial infarction (MI; a heart attack)
· Sudden death
Chest pain is the major symptom of angina. People who have angina often experience:
Crushing pain, "Heaviness," or Tightness in the middle of the chest.
It may feel as if someone is squeezing or pressing on the heart, or it may feel like a stabbing pain or numbness.
The sensation:
· Ordinarily lasts from one to 10 minutes
· May spread to the left shoulder, arm, and hand or to the neck, throat, and jaw
· Sometimes there are additional symptoms such as:
· Sweating
· Nausea
· Breathing difficulties
Heart attack occurs when there is blockage of a coronary artery,, and it may lead to permanent heart injury or death. In addition, heart attack lasts much longer than angina, and its symptoms generally continue even after a person rests.
Does chest pain always mean a heart problem?
Chest pain does not always mean that there is a problem with the heart. Other conditions can be confused with angina.
For example:
· Anxiety and tension are common causes of sharp chest pain.
· Gallbladder disease or indigestion also can cause pain in the chest, although such pain is associated with food rather than exercise.
When is angina an emergency?
Usually there are specific signs that angina is very serious or, indeed, an emergency. Whether or not a person has stable or unstable angina, it is important to go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY if anginal pain or discomfort is:
Does chest pain always mean a heart problem?
Chest pain does not always mean that there is a problem with the heart. Other conditions can be confused with angina.
For example:
· Anxiety and tension are common causes of sharp chest pain.
· Gallbladder disease or indigestion also can cause pain in the chest, although such pain is associated with food rather than exercise.
When is angina an emergency?
Usually there are specific signs that angina is very serious or, indeed, an emergency. Whether or not a person has stable or unstable angina, it is important to go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY if anginal pain or discomfort is:
· More severe than previously experienced
· Getting worse or lasting longer than 20 minutes
· Accompanied by weakness, nausea, or fainting
· Unchanged after taking three nitroglycerin tablets
· Happening at an unusual time (for example, during rest)
· If ambulance service is not available locally, a person should be driven to the nearest hospital.
How Is Angina Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of angina pectoris is based upon a number of factors, including the person's symptoms, his or her medical history, and a physical examination. The physician will want to make sure that the individual's chest pain is caused by angina and not some other condition, such as indigestion. In addition, the physician will want to determine how far coronary artery disease (CAD) has progressed.
Tests used to diagnose angina include:
· Electrocardiography (EKG, ECG)
· Chest x-ray
· Exercise (stress) test
· Coronary angiography/cardiac catheterization
· Ergonovine test
· Blood tests
Individuals with angina may consider:
· Smoking cessation
· Weight loss and proper nutrition
· Regular exercise
· Medication
· Surgery
Regular exercise
Many people with angina can and should exercise regularly, provided that exercise is not carried out to the point of exhaustion. Exercise helps to keep weight down, reduces clotting tendencies, improves heart function, and improves the blood lipid profile (fatty substances in the blood). Perhaps most importantly - exercise lessens depression and anxiety, since people feel better when they are fit.
Very inactive or sedentary individuals should begin to exercise slowly. To avoid injury, it is important to stretch the muscles before exercise.
The easiest form of exercise is simple: brisk walking. Other suitable activities include swimming, slow jogging, golf, or bicycling.
A typical cardiorespiratory (heart/lung) fitness program calls for 15 to 30 minutes of low-intensity aerobic exercise, (oxygen-using, endurance-building exercise) every other day. Alternative programs may recommend more frequent exercise (for example, five days a week
Medication
A variety of medicines now are available for the treatment of angina. There are five main types of medication, which help to control symptoms and increase blood flow to the heart muscle:
· Aspirin
· Nitrates
· Beta-blockers
· Calcium channel blockers
· Statin drugs
OUR different Varity of herbal medication is to protect the heart and prevent angina from happening
· Andrograph piniculata
· Ashwagandha root
· Bilberry
· Capsicum
· Feverfew
· Garlic
· Ginger
· Ginseng
· Golden Seal
· Hawthorn
· Neem
A variety of medicines now are available for the treatment of angina. There are five main types of medication, which help to control symptoms and increase blood flow to the heart muscle:
· Aspirin
· Nitrates
· Beta-blockers
· Calcium channel blockers
· Statin drugs
OUR different Varity of herbal medication is to protect the heart and prevent angina from happening
· Andrograph piniculata
· Ashwagandha root
· Bilberry
· Capsicum
· Feverfew
· Garlic
· Ginger
· Ginseng
· Golden Seal
· Hawthorn
· Neem
Our product: Heart-tonic herbal formula contain finest blend of best organic herbs, Hawthorne berry and Chinese red sage roots granules.
Take one teaspoon of the herbal mix, boil in one cup of water for 5 minutes, let it to brew for 10 minutes, drink one cup before meal 3 times daily.
Take one teaspoon of the herbal mix, boil in one cup of water for 5 minutes, let it to brew for 10 minutes, drink one cup before meal 3 times daily.
Price: 100 gram of heart-tonic mix granules 10 USA Dollars or 30 RM + shipping
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