He alth is the greatest we alth given from above. But not always we can properly dispose of it. Diseases lurk at every turn. It seems that recently I wanted to dance, but now I don’t have the strength to get up from my chair. One of the diseases that often occurs is Prinzmetal's angina. That's exactly what we'll talk about now.
What is this
Variant, spontaneous, vasospastic - these are a few more definitions of this disease. It is diagnosed if there is a spasm of the vessels that feed the heart. In medical terms, this is the clinical form of angina at rest. This disease is rare. It received such a name from its "parent" - M. Prinzmetal. This famous American cardiologist in 1959 first described such a disease as vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's angina). Most often, this disease affects people between the ages of thirty and fifty years. Approach to the treatment of this type of angina should not be the same as to its other types. The reason for this is its characteristics. The disease can manifest itself as a pureform, and in combination with exertional angina.
Prinzmetal's angina develops during rest, usually during a night's sleep. Sometimes the attack starts in a cold room or outside during the cool season.
What causes this disease
Now let's talk about the reasons that provoke the occurrence of this type of angina pectoris. As already mentioned, it could be cold. But it is worth adding that it cannot be considered the main "provocateur", it seems to push the body to this attack. Well, as for the causes, Prinzmetal's angina can occur due to:
- The development of atherosclerosis. And this is the key point. It is not necessary that the disease be in a neglected state. Even in the initial stages, atherosclerosis can provoke angina pectoris. The plaques are to blame. They lead to permanent stenosis, which causes Prinzmetal's symptoms. Angina pectoris of this type is observed in seventy-five percent of patients with atherosclerosis.
- Active smoking is another reason that does not create the problem of the onset of the disease, but pushes towards it. This group includes alcohol, unhe althy diet, sedentary lifestyle, constant stress.
How the disease manifests
Now let's talk about how Prinzmetal's angina manifests itself. Everyone should know the symptoms of the disease in case they suddenly feel unwell.
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princemetal angina Severe pain in the areasternum early in the morning, during sleep or rest.
- Signs of tachycardia and hypertension.
- During the electrocardiogram in the ST segment, you can see a picture, as in a myocardial infarction.
- Pains that used to occur intermittently become unbearable.
- The frequency of pain varies from five to fifteen minutes.
- Persistent headache, nausea, fainting.
- Disorders of the autonomic system.
If you find at least one of these signs, immediately go to a specialist. Only he can confirm or refute the diagnosis of Prinzmetal's angina. Symptoms should be supplemented by the results of the examination. Timely treatment is the way to your speedy recovery, as the consequences of it may not be very pleasant.
Possible consequences
Prinzmetal's angina can lead to a heart attack. True, the likelihood of this is small. Spasms that occur during an attack are not very long. There is another danger - a violation of the electrical function of the heart. This leads to a violation of the heart rhythm, which leads to the manifestation of ventricular tachycardia, and this is one step before death.
Another consequence of the disease is obstructive lesion of the coronary arteries.
If we turn to numbers, we can say the following. In the first six months after development, the disease takes about ten percent of the sick. Twenty percent of patients go into remission. True, theyyou will have to follow some rules for the rest of your life, because the symptoms may return after a few years.
Setting a correct prognosis for the development of the disease in the future is not an easy task. It depends on the severity of the course of the disease and the frequency of occurrence of seizures. And of course, coronary atherosclerosis cannot be ignored.
Diagnosis
A correct diagnosis is a very important step in the treatment of any disease. The main method that will help confirm a disease such as Prinzmetal's angina is an ECG. Used during an attack. If the ST segment on the ECG is elevated, then this is the disease that you suspected.
If this method has not completely refuted or confirmed the suspicions of a specialist, use:
- provocative test with hyperventilation;
- administration of injections of "Acetylcholine" or "Ergometrine";
- cold and ischemic test.
Studies with load are being carried out. In this way, load tolerance is tested. Coronary angiography is mandatory. Using this method, the degree of plaque damage to blood vessels can be determined and assessed.
The patient should keep a diary of sensations. In it, he notes all the changes from the side of the heart. As well as the pain that may occur when performing a particular job.
Treatment
Diagnosed, now the conversation will be about what is the treatment of angina pectorisPrincemetal.
- The patient must be hospitalized.
- Medications are used at the first stage: nitroglycerin stops painful attacks, potassium antagonists dilate collateral and coronary arteries.
- If coronary artery disease manifests itself, it is necessary to start taking alpha-blockers.
Treatment should be carried out strictly according to the program. It cannot be stopped abruptly, there may be negative consequences: the number of attacks will increase, the symptoms will intensify, which can lead to myocardial infarction. That is why drugs should be taken strictly on schedule. Most often these measures are enough, but if the desired effect is not achieved, they resort to surgical intervention.
This problem can be solved with:
- Stenting of the coronary arteries.
- Coronary bypass grafting.
- Angioplasty.
Disease prevention
Despite the fact that Prinzmetal's angina can affect a person at any age, do not panic. In order to keep your heart in order, adhere to the following rules:
- Eat low-calorie foods.
- Avoid foods rich in animal fats.
- Do not abuse alcohol, but stop smoking.
- Sleep - at least eight hours a day.
- Sports or at least evening walks.
- Avoid stress whenever possible.
