DEFINITION
What Is Unstable Angina?
Angina is chest pain due to a lack of blood and oxygen going to the heart. This can be a symptom of coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis, where there is a buildup of cholesterol and fat (plaque) in the coronary arteries of the heart. Angina can also be caused by muscle spasms in the area of the coronary arteries. Unstable Angina causes sudden chest pain. Usually the chest pain that appears is unpredictable, can occur when you are relaxed, and does not necessarily go away when resting or taking medication. Unstable angina is a serious disease that must be treated immediately.
How Common Is Unstable Angina?
Unstable angina is a disease that often occurs in the community. Scientists have not been able to determine which group is more at risk of developing unstable angina.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Unstable Angina?
Symptoms include discomfort or even pain in the chest, either mild or severe, chest tightness, pain, or chest pain starting from the chest and sometimes spreading to the back, neck, left shoulder, and forearm (especially the left). The pain may be stabbing or hot as if it were burning. Some people describe it as being “smothered” or being grabbed. Sweating, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath may also occur.
Symptoms also often appear when you are resting, occur intermittently, last long, and are unpredictable and can be helped by resting or taking medication. There may be signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any particular concerns about your symptoms, please consult your doctor.
When Should I See A Doctor?
If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have long had chest pain, please consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
REASONS
What Causes Unstable Angina?
The presence of blood clots that form plaque in the arteries makes the arteries clogged. These blood clots can form, then break down, then form again. Blood clots that are not treated immediately will get bigger and bigger before eventually clogging arteries and causing a heart attack.
RISK FACTORS
What Increases My Risk For Unstable Angina?
There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing unstable angina, such as:
- Age and gender: men over 60 years old and women entering menopause.
- Family history of heart disease.
- People with consumption of fatty foods and rich in cholesterol.
- People who don't exercise regularly.
- Smoker.
- People with diabetes, high blood pressure or people who have high cholesterol levels in their bodies.
TREATMENT
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What Are My Treatment Options For Unstable Angina?
First, the doctor will stabilize the patient's condition first by giving painkillers, aspirin, and oxygen. Other drugs can also be given to control blood pressure and help the arteries to open, for example nitroglycerin capsules that dissolve in the mouth and canenlarge blood vessels.
Subsequent treatment involves various drugs (eg apirine, clopidogrel, heparin) to stop blockages, drugs to lower blood pressure, and drugs (statins) to lower cholesterol and fat levels in the blood.
If the treatment method doesn't work, the patient may need surgery (angioplasty, surgery to open blood vessels using a small balloon). A small tube consisting of several interlocking wires (stents) is inserted into the blocked artery after the artery is dilated to prevent further narrowing.
Open heart surgery (coronary artery bypass graft or CABG) is required for very severe cases of arterial blockage. In the CABG method, a vein or artery is removed and sutured with a blocked artery so that blood flow can pass through the blockage.
What Are The Usual Tests For Unstable Angina?
The doctor will take a medical history, perform examinations, and blood tests. Electrocardiography (ECG) and X-rays can be used to evaluate heart cell injuries. Heart and respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen levels in the blood will also be measured.
Doctors can also find out if there is a blockage or injury to the heart cells using special X-rays. A heart specialist will insert a thin, flexible tube through an artery in the groin or arm into the heart arteries.
HOME Remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat unstable angina?
The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you cope with unstable angina.
- Visit your doctor regularly and take medication as prescribed.
- Lose weight and eat a healthy diet.
- Always carry nitroglycerin with you and take it when needed.
- Tell your family and friends how to give media help if you have a heart attack at any time.
- Do exercise only if your doctor allows it.
- Quit smoking.
If you have any questions, consult a doctor for the best solution for your problem.