There are several different types of angina. However, this symptom is a sign of coronary artery disease, which means you may be at increased risk of a heart attack — and heart attacks can be life-threatening. Angina may be different in women than in men as women can experience the symptoms of classic angina differently.
For some women, they may not feel the classic symptoms of chest pressure or tightness, but can sometimes can just feel fatigued as a symptom of angina. Women may also more frequently have coronary microvascular disease. Coronary microvascular disease involves blockages in the tiny arteries in the heart, which can affect blood flow. Women that have coronary microvascular disease often experience microvascular angina, which can occur during normal activities as well as with physical or mental stress.
There are also several risk factors that can trigger angina symptoms due to a mismatch between the oxygen supply to the heart and the oxygen demand of the heart. Often these are situations where the heart requires an additional oxygen supply. They can include:. This can include things like listening to your heart, measuring your heart rate , and taking your blood pressure. There are many possible tests that your doctor may use to help diagnose angina.
There are many treatment options available for angina. Several different medications can be given for angina. Angina medications can help to relieve symptoms of a flare-up or help to prevent a flare-up from occurring. Possible angina medications include:.
Additionally, medical emergencies like unstable angina may also require surgical treatment. Angina can be an indicator of other underlying heart conditions. If your angina is properly managed through things like medications and lifestyle changes, you can lead a very normal life.
After being diagnosed with angina, you may have to follow up with your doctor several times a year. Outlook can vary by individual. It may depend on several factors, including your overall health, your lifestyle, and if you have any other underlying health conditions. They can help you figure out what may be causing it and determine an appropriate treatment.
If chest pain comes on suddenly, is severe, or lasts longer than a few minutes, you should seek emergency medical attention.
These could be signs of a heart attack. If you are not able to exercise, medications can be injected to increase heart rate and contractions.
Coronary angiogram. This is a special x-ray of the coronary arteries. It is made by inserting a small tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin and maneuvering it into the heart.
The catheter releases a fluid called contrast agent that can be seen on the x-ray. Treatment for angina depends on how severe it is, whether it has recently become more severe even if it is still mild , how much it interferes with your life, and your expectations and goals.
Lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to make angina go away, though most people need one or more medications to ease or prevent angina. Some people need a procedure to open or bypass blocked coronary arteries.
Reduce risk factors. Stopping smoking, losing weight if needed, and lowering high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar can help control angina. Adjust your daily activities. If certain kinds of activity regularly cause angina, try performing the activity more slowly. Your heart is under more stress in the mornings and after meals, so try reducing physical activity at those times.
Reduce stress and anger. If anger and stress regularly bring on your angina, a stress-reduction program or meditation can help.
Even though exercise can bring on angina, a supervised program of exercise can safely strengthen the heart and eventually reduce angina. Start slowly, and gradually build up your level of exercise during optimal times of the day. Your physician can tell you what you can and cannot do. Heart-healthy eating. Adopting a Mediterranean or other heart-healthy eating strategy can help fight the cholesterol-filled plaque that is responsible for angina.
Medication also plays an important role in treatment. Several types of medication are to ease or prevent angina. These include:. Nitrates cause the coronary arteries to widen, increasing blood flow through the coronary arteries. They come in several forms. If your angina is stable, you might be able to control it with lifestyle changes and medicines. Unstable angina requires immediate treatment in a hospital, which could involve medicines and surgical procedures.
Angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention, increases blood flow through a blocked artery and decreases angina. During an angioplasty AN-jee-o-plas-tee , your doctor threads a tiny, deflated balloon attached to special tubing up through an artery, generally in your groin, to your narrowed coronary artery. Your doctor inflates the balloon to widen the artery.
He or she might then insert a small metal tube stent to keep the artery open. This procedure can take 30 minutes to several hours, and you'll probably remain in the hospital at least overnight. You can generally return to work or your normal routine soon after the angioplasty and stent procedure.
Angioplasty and stenting involve some risks, including a risk of the blockage re-forming. A stent coated with medication can help prevent this. EECP therapy might be recommended for some people whose angina doesn't improve with other treatments. For this therapy, large cuffs are wrapped around your legs.
Air pressure causes the cuffs to inflate and deflate in time to your heartbeat. This typically requires getting five one-hour treatments a week for seven weeks. Regardless of which angina treatment you choose, your doctor will recommend that you make heart-healthy lifestyle changes. You and your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment to determine what might work best for you. For most people, first steps include medications and lifestyle changes.
If those don't work for you, angioplasty and stenting can be another option. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.
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