Stable Angina
Stable
angina is chest pain or discomfort that typically occurs with
activity or stress. Angina is a type of chest discomfort caused
by poor blood flow through the blood vessels (coronary vessels)
of the heart muscle (myocardium).
Your heart muscle is working all the time, so it needs a
continuous supply of oxygen. This oxygen is provided by the
coronary arteries, which carry blood. When the heart muscle has
to work harder, it needs more oxygen.
Symptoms of angina occur
when the Coronary Arteries are narrowed or blocked by hardening
of the arteries (atherosclerosis), or by a Blood Clot.
The most common cause of angina is Coronary heart disease (CHD).
Angina pectoris is the medical term for this type of chest pain.
Stable angina is predictable chest pain. Although less serious
than unstable angina, it can be very painful or uncomfortable.
The most common symptom is chest pain that occurs behind the
breastbone or slightly to the left of it. The pain of Stable
Angina usually begins slowly and gets worse over the next few
minutes before going away.
The pain may feel like tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or
crushing pain. It may spread to the arm (usually the left),
back, jaw, neck and shoulder. Some people say the pain feels
like gas or indigestion.
Other symptoms of angina include a feeling of indigestion or
heartburn, dizziness or light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, and
sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath and unexplained
tiredness after activity (more common in women).
The pain of stable angina typically
• Occurs after activity, stress, or exertion
• Lasts an average of 1 - 15 minutes
• Is relieved with rest or a medicine
The best way to prevent angina is to lower your risk for
coronary heart disease
• Avoid or reduce stress as much as you can.
• Control your blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol
and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get
at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. However, talk to your
doctor before beginning or increasing your activity or exercise
level.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Stop smoking
Moderate amounts of alcohol (one glass a day for women, two for
men) may reduce your risk of heart problems. However, drinking
larger amounts does more harm than good.
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