Angina is one of the symptoms of coronary heart disease. Usually the patient experiences a feeling of heaviness or pressure pain in the center of the chest, which can spread to the neck, arms, back. Some people experience symptoms as pain that radiates to the arm, jaw, or neck.
Discomfort usually resolves in 10-15 minutes. For some people, the pain of a pressing or squeezing nature is very strong, while others feel only minor discomfort. Seizures may occur after mental or physical exertion, as well as exposure to stress. There is also a spontaneous form of the disease that occurs for no apparent reason.
Feature of the disease
Angina pectoris is one of the most common variants of coronary heart disease, characterized by the occurrence of chest pain attacks. It is observed against the background of oxygen starvation of myocardial tissues, which proceeds along with the narrowing of the lumen of the coronary arteries.
This diseaseIt is diagnosed mainly in older patients, the vast majority of whom are men. Often, it becomes the cause of the development of conditions that are dangerous for a person, so it is important to recognize the first signs of a violation in a timely manner and conduct high-quality treatment. Complications of angina pectoris are the result of untimely diagnosis of the course of the disease or ignoring the need for therapy.
Classification
Doctors note several different types of this disease. According to the classification of angina pectoris, there are such types as:
- first marked;
- stable;
- unstable.
The stable type of the disease proceeds for a long time, is characterized by the occurrence of regular attacks, but no significant changes are observed. Unstable angina progresses all the time, and attacks are repeated more and more often, which can lead to the development of a heart attack.
After the first attack, the disease manifests itself with regular pain, which becomes more stable and prolonged. Seizures become more frequent over time. This is only the main classification of angina pectoris, as there are other forms of the course of the disease.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of angina pectoris are a temporary decrease in blood flow in the heart muscle. This is observed when the arteries of the heart are narrowed when they are affected by atherosclerosis. Often attacks are provoked by physical effort or stress, which is explained by an exacerbation of the lack of oxygen in the heart muscle.
It provokesthe accumulation of toxic substances, as well as metabolic products that irritate the nerve endings and provoke an attack of pain. Among the main provoking factors are the following:
- atherosclerosis;
- anemia;
- increased physical activity;
- emotional overstrain and stress;
- hypodynamia;
- tobacco smoking;
- genetic predisposition;
- diabetes.
Excessive physical activity or nervous strain can provoke an attack. Very often it can be when walking. Attacks are much more common after meals. Sometimes discomfort occurs even in a dream and then a person wakes up from pain. These are far from all the causes of angina pectoris, therefore, during therapy, it is imperative to establish a provoking factor in order to achieve a good result and get rid of excruciating pain.
Main symptoms
The attack is accompanied by the appearance of characteristic pains. Initially, there is some discomfort behind the sternum, and then it gradually develops into a steady pain. Pain can radiate to the shoulder, arm or neck, jaw, or spread throughout the chest.
This attack is always accompanied by fear and anxiety, but if the patient assumes a prone position, then the pain only intensifies. Pain during the course of angina pectoris has certain features, namely:
- she has a constant, aching character;
- attack can be stopped with nitroglycerin;
- occurs with intensephysical activity;
- duration approximately 20 minutes.
If symptoms of angina pectoris are often observed, what to do is a must, as they can provoke various complications and significantly aggravate the patient's well-being. It is worth noting that similar signs can also be observed with more serious pathologies of the heart.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of angina pectoris is made on the basis of the examination. When the first signs of the course of the disease appear, you should definitely consult a doctor. He will listen to the heart to determine the frequency and rhythm of contractions, assess the general condition of the patient, and also conduct an examination for the presence of diabetes. In addition, a blood test for cholesterol is prescribed. Additionally, such methods for diagnosing angina pectoris are prescribed, such as:
- electrocardiogram;
- echocardiogram;
- exercise test;
- coronary angiography;
- radioisotope scanning.
Electrocardiogram allows you to record the electrical activity and rhythm of the heart. This type of examination is completely painless and takes about 5 minutes. This method provides the required information regarding the presence and degree of angina pectoris, however, it is worth remembering that often violations occur with increased physical activity, so at rest the cardiogram may show a normal result.
Echocardiography or ultrasound of the heart allows you to get a more accurate result. The device creates on the screen the received image, which is the signals reflected from different parts of the heart.
Features of treatment
The treatment of angina pectoris has several goals at once, in particular such as:
- eliminate pain;
- restoration of coronary circulation;
- prevention of new seizures;
- reducing the risk of complications.
First of all, patients need to change their habitual lifestyle and adjust their diet. An important component of the complex treatment of angina pectoris is diet therapy. Patients need to give up fatty and junk food, consume more fruits and vegetables in order to saturate the body with the required vitamins and minerals.
It is strictly forbidden to drink coffee, as it provokes the occurrence of new attacks. Anti-ischemic drugs are indicated for the treatment of angina pectoris, and the use of such medications as:
- hypotensive;
- statins;
- antiplatelet agents.
In addition, traditional methods and means of physiotherapy are widely used for therapy. In particularly difficult cases, surgery may be required. It is worth noting that it is impossible to completely get rid of this disease. However, with strict adherence to all requirements, proper nutrition and taking medications, the risk of complications can be prevented.
Drug therapy
What medications to take for angina, only the attending doctor can say, based on the results of the diagnosis. First of all, you need to try to reduce the manifestation of symptoms and the further development of the pathological condition. This can be done with medicines. Treatment of angina pectoris with drugs involves the use of several types of drugs so that you can immediately act in a complex way. For treatment, tools such as:
- nitrates;
- calcium channel antagonists;
- adrenergic blockers;
- diuretics.
Thanks to the use of such drugs, it is possible to normalize the patient's condition, as well as the functioning of the heart muscle and respiratory system. In addition, they help eliminate pain, relieve spasms and shortness of breath.
Nitrates are often prescribed for the treatment of angina pectoris, as these drugs help to eliminate pain. Thanks to the expansion of blood vessels, it is possible to achieve normalization of the outflow of blood. Among the most popular means of this group, Nitrosorbide, Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate should be singled out, and transdermal stickers can also be used.
You can quickly help a patient with angina pectoris with the help of "Nitroglycerin", as this drug helps to stop painful attacks very quickly and does not have a negative effect on the body. To relieve an acute attackyou need to put one tablet under the tongue, and the effect of the drug will come in a few minutes.
Also shown is the use of adrenoreceptor blockers, which help to reduce the contraction of the heart muscle. Their action is manifested only during physical activity. Among the most popular drugs in this group, Anaprilin, Atenolol, Betaxolol should be singled out. When using these medicines, it is imperative to take into account the available indications and contraindications.
Calcium channel antagonists have a very good effect on the myocardium, blocking certain protein compounds involved in arterial and vascular spasm. When using these medications, blood circulation improves significantly. Among these drugs, it is necessary to highlight "Verapamil", "Diltiazem", "Gallopamil".
Indispensable drugs used to treat angina pectoris are diuretics, which, due to their diuretic action, can reduce swelling. They are prescribed by the doctor as part of complex therapy, along with other means. Among the most popular drugs are such as Lasix, Chlorthalidone, Amlodipine.
It is worth noting that all medicines should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor who determines the dosage and course of administration.
Folk techniques
Alternative treatment of angina pectoris gives a fairly good result, but it is worth noting that it is best to use these drugs in a complex, together with medications. Very welldecoctions, tinctures, teas, drops prepared on the basis of medicinal herbs help. From medicinal plants widely used:
- walnut;
- adonis grass;
- hawthorn fruit;
- St. John's wort;
- motherwort.
To increase immunity and eliminate signs of nervous exhaustion, you need to use hawthorn tincture. To prepare it, pour the berries with boiled water, leave for a day, and then take it as tea before meals.
The most effective remedy is honey, which is used to treat many diseases. This tool helps to normalize the general well-being of a person, and, in addition, it contributes to:
- hemoglobin increase;
- relieve signs of heart disease;
- normalization of cardiovascular tone;
- improve blood composition.
All these factors help to improve the well-being of a patient with angina pectoris. For effective therapy, you need to prepare a honey elixir. To prepare it, you need to mix 300 g of honey, 150 g of aloe, juice of 2 lemons, 0.5 kg of walnuts. All components must be thoroughly mixed together until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Take the medicine before each meal for 1 tbsp. l. You need to store it in the refrigerator in a glass container.
Garlic has a very good effect on the work of the heart, and with its help you can prevent the occurrence of an angina attack. To do this, you need to consume garlic broth. You can also make garlic paste. Toto prepare this mixture, you need to take 5 cloves of garlic and crush each clove to get garlic puree. Then mix it with 1 liter of honey and the juice of 10 lemons.
This mixture should be stored in a cool place so that the product is well infused. A week later, the medicine is ready for use. You need to eat 1-2 tbsp. l. in the morning before meals, chewing thoroughly. Treatment should be continued until the medication runs out.
You can treat angina with lemon, which is why this fruit is part of many medicines. To eliminate and prevent the symptoms of the disease, you can use the peel of a lemon. It is good to eat it before every meal. After about a week, you can notice a significant improvement in well-being.
Treatment of angina pectoris can be carried out with the help of medicinal herbs. You can prepare a healing herbal collection, which includes flowers and fruits of hawthorn, dill seeds, mistletoe, mint, St. John's wort. All this must be mixed, poured with hot water, insisted for 10 minutes and taken 2 times a day. Some herbs are sedative and should be used with caution.
Folk therapies are available and very easy to use, but first you need to get expert advice. Self-medication can only harm and make you feel worse.
Dieting
If you strictly follow the clinical recommendations for angina pectoris, you can achieve normalization of well-being and reduce the frequency of attacks. With a stable course of the disease, it is necessaryadjust your diet. Doctors recommend following these rules:
- avoid overeating;
- control cholesterol levels;
- introduce fatty fish into the diet;
- must have fresh garlic and onion;
- the menu should include fruits and vegetables;
- Rosehip decoction and liver will be useful.
You need to give up the consumption of tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. Food intake should be fairly frequent, at least 5 times a day, but you need to eat in small portions. Such a diet will help balance the metabolism, which will lead to weight loss in the patient, since obesity is considered one of the causes of angina pectoris.
Physiotherapy techniques
In the course of treatment, the patient may be prescribed physiotherapy techniques, depending on the complexity of the course of the disease and the presence of contraindications. To normalize the functioning of the nervous system, as well as to prevent myocardial infarction, you can use techniques such as:
- hardware;
- healing baths;
- electrosleep.
However, it is worth remembering that all these methods have certain contraindications, which include such as:
- hypertension;
- arrhythmia, heart disease;
- progressive angina;
- asthma, circulatory failure.
If during the diagnosis violations were found, then the patient is assigned variousphysiotherapy procedures. All methods of therapy are prescribed to the patient purely individually, it all depends on the course of the underlying and concomitant diseases. With a persistent form of angina, physiotherapy with microwave beams can be used.
This will normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, improve blood microcirculation, and also prevent the development of a heart attack. The stable form of the disease can be treated much easier and faster, and also has much fewer contraindications to the appointment of various procedures.
Surgical treatment
Among the many different methods of surgical intervention, coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty have become very popular. Carrying out such operations makes it possible to control the frequency of seizures by disrupting the transmission of impulses.
Balloon surgery is considered an alternative option and is an invasive technique to restore cardiac circulation. It is carried out for many diseases of the cardiovascular system, including also pain syndrome. Such a surgical intervention consists of several stages, namely:
- introduction into the vessels of the catheter;
- advance it to the desired location of the artery;
- balloon inflation.
After that, the plaque ruptures, thereby freeing the artery and increasing its lumen. At the end of the operation, the patient is assigned a second ECG, and he is transferred to the intensive care unit. doctor prescribespostoperative care to prevent complications.
Bypass surgery is performed when the disease is severe. During surgery, a new blood circulation pathway is formed. The goal of such treatment is to restore normal blood circulation in all affected arteries, so the number of shunts for each patient is selected strictly individually.
Possible Complications
It is very important to understand the dangers of angina pectoris, as many people underestimate the seriousness of their condition. First of all, this disease threatens with serious consequences and complications and often leads to death.
Over time, angina pectoris can develop into more complex types of coronary heart disease. In addition, there may be a myocardial infarction with an extensive area of necrosis or sudden death. Angina over time can lead to patient disability and the development of life-threatening pathologies.
Prophylaxis
Be sure to carry out the prevention of angina pectoris in order to prevent the occurrence of even greater complications. It is imperative to lead a he althy lifestyle, exclude exposure to factors that can provoke an attack.
Prevention of angina pectoris includes weight control, a special diet, blood pressure control, smoking and alcohol abstinence.
Since angina pectoris is a dangerous condition, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment, as well as carry out the requiredmanipulations aimed at reducing the risk of an attack.
