Angina Treatment/Symptoms of Angina/Angina Diet
Angina attack is an acute chest pain or uneasiness felt around the chest area on account of reduced blood flow to heart due to narrowing of the arteries of the heart. Angina could also be caused due to increased demand of blood supply for the heart, blockage of artery, or thickening of heart muscles. Supplying more blood through narrow arteries causes uneasiness, rapid pressure, stiffness, heaviness or squeezing pain in the chest area which leads to Angina.
Angina also called angina pectoris is broadly classified into three types:
- Stable angina or chronic stable angina
- Unstable angina known to initiate a heart attack
- Variant angina or Prinzmetal’s angina – a rare type caused by coronary artery spasm
Angina is a symptom of the most familiar heart disease known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and is relatively common taking into account more than 6 million people in US have angina
Symptoms of Angina
Common symptoms associated with Angina
- Pain and discomfort in the chest area
- Pressure, tightening, squeezing or burning sensation in the chest area
- Pain may also be experienced in the arms, shoulders, throat, neck, jaw or back regions
- May appear like indigestion and consequent discomfort
- Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, excessive sweating or nausea
Causes of Angina
Angina is caused when blood flow to an area of the heart is decreased. This impairs the delivery of oxygen and vital nutrients to the heart muscle cells. When this happens, the heart muscle must use alternative, less efficient forms of fuel so that it can perform its function of pumping blood to the body. The byproduct of using this less efficient fuel is a compound called lactic acid that builds up in the muscle and causes pain. Some medications used to treat angina work by inhibiting the use of this fuel
What Are the Types of Angina?
The types of angina are:
- Stable angina. The pain is predictable and present only during exertion or extreme emotional distress, disappearing with rest.
- Unstable angina. This may signal an impending heart attack. Unstable angina is angina pain that is different from your regular angina pain or pain that occurs while at rest. The angina may occur more frequently, more easily at rest, feel more severe, last longer, or come on with minimal activity. Although this type of angina can often be relieved with medication, it is unstable and may progress to a heart attack. Usually more intense medical treatment or a procedure is required.
Prinzmetal’s angina. This is when angina occurs at rest, when sleeping, or when exposed to cold temperatures. In these cases, the symptoms are caused by decreased blood flow to the heart’s muscle from a spasm of the coronary artery. The majority of people with this type of angina also have coronary artery disease. These spasms occur close to the blockage.
“Remedies for Angina”
- Initiating lifestyle modifications such as: eating healthy and well balanced meals, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and being physically active. It is also advisable to lose weight incase of obesity
- Treating existing disorders that may lead to angina such as: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other heart related conditions
- Medicines and other options in surgery are also available to treat angina in serious cases
Diet for Angina
Suggested diet remedies
- Avoid eating cholesterol rich food and consuming light and preferably vegetarian foods
- Boost intake of Vitamin A, C and E rich foods to prevent and control the onset of angina
- Intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains ensure your body receives the required nutrients
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