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The Secret Crisis of the Heart: What Is Angina and Why Will It Affect Your Life?
Angina, also known as angina chest pain, refers to pain or pressure in the chest, usually caused by insufficient blood flow to the myocardium (heart muscle). It is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease and is usually caused by a partial blockage or spasm of the arteries that supply the heart muscle. As arteriosclerosis worsens, blockage of the coronary arteries or other causes such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, and certain anemias, may lead to angina pectoris.
The name of angina comes from the Latin words "angere" (suffocation) and "pectus" (chest), so it can be translated as "suffocation in the chest."
The severity of angina is related to the degree of oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle. However, severe angina is not necessarily proportional to the risk of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Some people may experience severe pain despite a very low risk of a heart attack, while others may experience minimal or no pain during a heart attack.
Angina pectoris is mainly divided into stable and unstable types. Stable angina, also known as "exercise angina", is a classic form of angina associated with myocardial ischemia. It usually occurs during exercise or emotional stress and is relieved by rest. Unstable angina is an emergency. If it occurs suddenly at rest or lasts for more than 15 minutes, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
In the early 20th century, severe angina was seen as a sign of impending death. However, modern medical technology has significantly improved prognosis.
According to research, if middle-aged patients experience moderate to severe angina, the five-year survival rate is about 92%. But such numbers don’t reassure all patients, because the actual experience of angina varies from person to person.
Types of angina pectoris
Stable angina
Stable angina usually occurs as a strong reaction to certain situations, such as exercise, cold weather, or emotional stress. It is characterized by chest discomfort that usually resolves within minutes of ending activity. Patients often complain of feelings such as pressure, heaviness, and tightness.
Unstable angina
Unstable angina is characterized by a change in symptoms from before, may occur in a resting state, lasts for more than 10 minutes and indicates that the heart needs urgent attention.
Microvascular angina
Microvascular angina, or cardiac syndrome X, is a presentation of chest pain in which cross-sections of the coronary arteries appear normal, complicating diagnosis. It involves insufficiency of the tiny blood vessels in the heart.
Symptoms of angina pectoris
Although angina can be very painful, many patients do not experience explicit pain but instead experience discomfort in the chest. Reference pain may also be felt in other areas such as the upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, and shoulders.
Angina attacks are often associated with emotional stress or physical activity and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.
Risk factors for angina pectoris
Major risk factors for angina include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and a family history of heart disease. Research shows that quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and improve heart health.
Other medical conditions associated with angina include esophageal disease, hyperthyroidism, and other heart problems that may lead to angina attacks. Myocardial ischemia is usually caused by blocked arteries or insufficient blood flow.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of angina is usually based on the patient's description of symptoms and the results of an electrocardiogram. Frequently used diagnostic methods include exercise testing, heart scans, etc. In terms of treatment, the main goal is to reduce the heart's oxygen demand, through the use of medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, to help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of future cardiac events.
In actual treatment, patients with angina pectoris may need to choose appropriate drugs and treatments based on their personal conditions. Occasionally, surgical intervention may be necessary when medical treatments fail to have the desired effect.
Through understanding of angina and appropriate treatment, patients' quality of life can be significantly improved. How on earth can we avoid this hidden danger in our lives and keep our hearts healthy?
