Angina is a pain or discomfort (ache) in the chest that is a symptom of coronary artery (blood vessel of the heart) disease. It occurs when the blood vessels leading to the heart are blocked or narrowed. This results in less blood flow and less oxygen reaching the heart. Angina is not a heart attack. It is a warning sign that you are at risk for a heart attack.
Angina is often described as a squeezing or pressure like discomfort. Some people describe it as a burning, indigestion-like (heartburn like) pain. It is often felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. The discomfort usually last no more than 10 minutes and is helped with rest or with nitroglycerin.
Types of angina
Stable angina-has a predictable pattern. It occurs when your heart’s need for blood is increased by exercise, exertion, stress, or a large meal
Unstable angina-is unexpected and happens when you are at rest. Unstable angina happens more frequently, lasts longer and should be treated as an emergency
Variant angina-usually happens when you are at rest. Often occurs at night.
Microvascular angina-causes chest pain but without any blockage in an artery. It is caused by the small blood vessels in your heart not working normally
Atypical angina-unusual symptoms such as vague discomfort. Women are more likely to experience atypical (unusual) symptoms
Care at home
When you experience the discomfort of angina: 1. stop whatever you are doing 2. sit or lie down 3. take Nitro if you have it – one spray every 5 minutes, you may repeat 3 times. If you do not experience relief call 9-1-1
Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, safe exercise, a healthy diet
Eat smaller meals. Heavy meals can bring on the discomfort
Stop smoking
Treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, if needed
Limit alcohol use
Reduce stress
Certain medications may be prescribed
Nitrate medications such as Nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerine in a spray form is a type of rescue medication, to treat the pain.
Blood thinners or anti platelet medication to help prevent blood from clotting and blocking blood vessels
Beta blockers and Calcium channel blocker medications that may reduce the occurrence of angina
Get immediate medical attention: Call 9-1-1
If the pain lasts longer than a few minutes
If you are having chest pain or pressure that is not helped with rest or nitroglycerin (after 3 sprays, 5 minutes apart, unless told differently by your doctor)
Sweating
Shortness of breath (unable to catch your breath)
Nausea or vomiting (sick to your stomach)
A fast, slow or irregular heart beat
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Crushing chest pain, or pain that feels like a heavy weight on your chest
Reference:
Heart & Stroke foundation Canada, Angina, 2006
Providence Health care, Chest pain pathway, patient information, 2005
National Heart, lung and blood institute, Angina, 2006
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