Angina treatment is extremely important, as angina is a pain or discomfort in the chest. Angina can be a warning sign of a heart attack, and if left untreated, it may cause serious complications such as heart attack or cardiac arrest. Angina can be treated in several ways including medications, making lifestyle adjustments, or performing some surgical interventions. All these methods aim to relieve the severity of symptoms and reduce the chances of infection with a heart attack or death.
In this article, we will explain what angina is and what its symptoms are, and how angina symptoms can be treated, and is angina dangerous, so follow along with us.
What is the Treatment for Angina?
Angina treatment depends on medications (nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, aspirin, statins), with lifestyle modification (healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking). In advanced cases or unstable angina, the doctor may resort to stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery. Early diagnosis with a cardiologist remains the basis for preventing its progression into a heart attack.
What is Angina and What are its Symptoms?
Angina is a term that refers to chest pain or pressure that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood and oxygen, and it is the first warning signal the body sends to warn of the risk of heart damage. Its common symptoms include: a pressing or squeezing pain in the chest, and pain that spreads to the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, or back, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, sweating, and dizziness.
What are the Most Prominent Causes of Angina?
Before we elaborate on explaining angina treatment methods, the most important causes of angina are decreased blood flow to the heart, and the heart may not get a sufficient amount of blood and oxygen due to:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
- Coronary Microvascular Disease.
- Contraction of the coronary artery wall.
- Weak blood flow through a narrow heart valve.
- Weak pumping of the heart muscle.
- Exposure to physical activity or severe psychological stress.
- High blood pressure.
- High levels of cholesterol and sugar in the blood.
- Lack of exercise.
- Overweight.
- Following a diet high in saturated fats.
- Presence of some heart diseases: heart valve diseases, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy.
- Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Advancing age.
- Presence of a family history of heart diseases.
Read also: How to Know You Have Angina
Is Angina Dangerous?
Yes, angina is considered an important warning sign. If left untreated, it may cause serious complications such as heart attack or cardiac arrest. Its danger increases especially in the case of unstable angina, which may occur suddenly without prior warning and requires immediate medical intervention. As for stable angina, it is usually relatively less dangerous because it is linked to a certain effort and goes away with rest, but it remains a signal of the necessity of monitoring heart health with a specialized doctor.
What is the Best Treatment for Angina?
Angina treatment aims to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of infection with a heart attack, and angina treatment also depends on the patient’s age, health, and the severity of their condition.
In early cases, angina can be treated with Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam through taking a group of medications that soothe symptoms with commitment to a healthy lifestyle and practicing sports.
As for advanced cases which may not improve by taking medications, they may need surgical interventions, and that depends on the type of heart problems and the patient’s health.
Angina Treatment Medications
Nitroglycerin
Helps relieve pain by widening blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the heart muscle better, and reduces the workload on the heart.
Beta-blockers
Work on blocking the hormone responsible for increasing heart rate and blood pressure, which helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Help open and widen the coronary arteries.
Medical Procedures
To treat angina in the long term, Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam explains some medical procedures to open the arteries and to restore blood flow to the artery, such as:
- Stent placement.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery to create a new path around the obstructions in the coronary arteries.
Changes in Daily Habits to Support Angina Treatment
- Eat heart-healthy foods.
- Increase movement.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
What are the Symptoms of Angina?
Angina symptoms may look like the following:
- Pressing or squeezing pain in the chest.
- Pain in the upper back, arms, or neck.
- Chest pain that spreads to the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, or back.
- Shortness of breath.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Feeling of fainting.
- Heartburn, such as: heartburn or indigestion.
- Sweating.
- Dizziness.
- Gases or bloating.
- Stomach upset or nausea.
- Paler skin than usual.
How to Treat Pseudoangina
Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam, Consultant of Open-Heart Surgery, explains that pseudoangina is a condition in which individuals feel pain or discomfort in the chest that mimics angina symptoms, but it is not related to coronary artery disease or myocardial ischemia. This condition can occur due to various factors, including musculoskeletal problems, digestive system problems, or psychological problems.
Treatment of Pseudoangina Resulting from Digestive System Problems
Angina resulting from some digestive system problems, such as: GERD, can be treated through taking medications that reduce the production of stomach acids.
Treatment of Pseudoangina Resulting from Musculoskeletal System Problems
Pseudoangina resulting from disorders in the musculoskeletal system, such as: spinal disorders or a herniated disc, can be treated through taking pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or through physical therapy exercises or wearing a neck stabilization collar.
Treatment of Pseudoangina Resulting from Psychological Problems
Taking some medications to control symptoms, such as: anti-anxiety or anti-depressants, in addition to lifestyle modification.
What is the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Angina?
A heart attack and angina are two different medical problems, and each has its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. Here is the difference between a heart attack and angina:
1. Angina
- It is a term that refers to chest pain that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood and oxygen.
- It is the first warning signal the body sends to warn of the risk of heart damage.
- Chest pain resulting from angina is sometimes less severe than a heart attack, or goes away with rest.
2. Heart Attack
- Occurs when the lack of blood flow is so severe that it causes damage to the heart muscle.
- Considered a medical emergency and life-threatening.
- Chest pain resulting from it lasts for a longer period, or worsens, and it also remains continuous with rest.
You can learn more about the difference between angina and a heart clot through our article.
Ways to Treat Angina in Women
Mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases are higher in women than men despite the higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases in men than women. Therefore, Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam advises following the following methods to treat angina in women:
Angina Treatment Medications Include:
- Aspirin.
- Nitroglycerin.
- Beta-receptor blockers.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
- Calcium channel blockers.
- Statins.
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Follow a diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits, and free of saturated fats, processed foods, and sugars.
- Quit smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Practice sports regularly.
- Reduce stress.
- Lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Sleep for sufficient periods.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Treatment of Stable Angina and its Symptoms
Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam, the best heart surgery doctor in Egypt, explains that stable angina is a chest pain or discomfort that lasts for up to five minutes, and occurs mostly when exerting an effort or when feeling stressed.
Symptoms of Stable Angina
Stable angina symptoms are characterized by being predictable and linked to physical effort or a certain emotion, and include: pain or pressure in the middle of the chest that appears with effort and disappears within minutes with rest or taking the prescribed medication, and the pain may extend to the arm or jaw, with a slight feeling of shortness of breath. Unlike unstable angina, its appearance pattern is regular and the patient can expect it.
When the patient starts feeling symptoms of a stable angina attack, they must do the following:
- Stop the activity they are doing.
- Sit and rest until symptoms subside.
- Take the medications prescribed by the doctor which are supposed to relieve stable angina symptoms within five minutes, such as: beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and statins. Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam has explained heart and artery medication notes to avoid any complications.
How Can Unstable Angina Be Treated?
Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam emphasizes the necessity of treating unstable angina as soon as possible because it can lead to a heart attack.
Causes of Sudden Angina
Unstable angina is also known as sudden angina, because it may occur without prior warning and even during rest or sleep. Among the most prominent causes of sudden angina: formation of a partial clot or rupture of a fatty plaque inside the coronary artery leading to a sudden narrowing in blood flow, or a sudden spasm in the coronary artery, or physical effort or severe and unexpected emotion. Sudden angina requires an urgent medical evaluation because it may be an early warning sign of an imminent heart attack.
To treat unstable angina, Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam may prescribe several medications, such as:
- Nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain and improve blood flow.
- Blood thinners such as aspirin to prevent blood clots.
- Beta-blockers to relieve the burden on the heart.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- High blood pressure drugs.
- Medications to help regulate heartbeat.
In some cases, the doctor may resort to performing some surgical procedures to expand the coronary arteries or redirect blood around the obstruction, and these procedures include:
- Placement of a catheter with a stent implant such as TAVI aortic valve replacement in some complex cases.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery.
Ways to Prevent Angina
Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam offers the following tips to patients for prevention of angina through:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet.
- Practice sufficient physical activity.
- Abstain from alcohol or smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Control stress.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Take prescribed medications regularly.
- Treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and overweight.
- Sleep from 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Visit the doctor regularly, to monitor the progression of the condition.
Read also: How long do heart clot symptoms last?
Can Angina Be Treated at Home?
Stable angina can be treated at home to relieve heart muscle strain, but if the patient starts feeling severe pain in the heart or chest, they may suspect they have a heart attack and must head to the hospital immediately.
Here are the most important home steps supporting medical treatment for angina:
1.Lie down in a comfortable position with the head raised if the patient feels chest pain.
2.Follow the doctor’s instructions for taking angina treatment medications.
3.Quit smoking.
4.Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the heart.
5.Focus on following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in fats, sugars, and salts.
6.Practice sports regularly.
7.Monitor chronic diseases regularly, such as: high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
8.Contact the doctor and undergo examination to evaluate the patient’s condition and avoid complications.
In advanced cases of angina, medications alone may not be enough, and the solution is through coronary artery surgery to restore blood flow normally.
Is There a Fast Treatment for Angina?
Angina treatment medications help relieve the severity of symptoms quickly, such as: nitroglycerin and aspirin, where angina treatment medications aim to:
- Reduce the number of angina attacks.
- Lower the intensity of symptoms.
- Lower the risk of infection with a heart attack and death.
Besides medications, one must head to the doctor and undergo a medical examination to evaluate the patient’s situation.
What are the Best Angina Treatment Medications?
The following medications are often prescribed for angina treatment:
1.Nitroglycerin: These medications are often used for angina treatment, as they relax blood vessels and widen them, allowing more blood to reach the heart, and they are pills placed under the tongue.
2.Aspirin: Reduces blood clotting, making it easier for blood to pass through narrow heart arteries, as it can reduce the risk of infection with a heart attack.
3.Clot-preventing drugs: Reduce the likelihood of platelets sticking together, preventing blood clotting, and one of them may be recommended if the patient cannot take aspirin.
4.Beta-blockers: Slow the heartbeat, lowering blood pressure, and also work on relaxing blood vessels, improving blood flow.
5.Statins: Used to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood, and work on blocking a substance the body needs to produce cholesterol, helping to prevent blood vessel obstruction.
6.Calcium Channel Blockers: Work on relaxing blood vessels and widening them to improve blood flow.
7.ACE inhibitors and ARBs: Work on lowering blood pressure.
8.Ranolazine: Reduces heart effort, and may be prescribed for chronic stable angina that does not improve with other medications, and can be used alone or with other medications.
Read also: Does angina cause death?
Why Should One Rely on Specialized Medical Treatment for Angina Treatment?
It is necessary to commit to taking the medications prescribed by the specialized doctor and follow the treatment plan accurately, because angina is a symptom directly related to heart and coronary artery health, and its severity or the underlying cause cannot be evaluated except through medical examination and specialized analyses such as ECG and catheterization when needed. Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam emphasizes the importance of not delaying consultation with a cardiologist when symptoms recur, and relying only on the treatment plan he determines after accurate diagnosis, to ensure control over the condition and prevent its progression into a heart attack.
Conclusion
If you want to treat angina definitively, initiate booking your appointment with Professor Dr. Mohamed El-Ghannam, the best heart surgeon in Egypt, by calling the clinic’s special number 01211979117 or through the doctor’s website info@mohamedelghanam.com or by visiting one of the doctor’s clinics which include:
- Nasr City Clinic: Medical Tower attached to Dar Al Fouad Hospital Nasr City – Intersection of Youssef Abbas with Nasr Road – Fourth Floor – Clinic 416.
- Heliopolis Clinic: 9 Ibn Al-Wardi Street, branching from Ammar Ibn Yasser – El-Nozha – Cairo.
Sources
- Angina: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
- Angina Pectoris | Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Angina – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
- Therapy for Stable Angina in Women – PMC
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I treat angina at home?
Angina is a condition that needs medical follow-up, but there are steps that can help relieve symptoms at home temporarily. The most important thing is to sit and rest immediately upon feeling pain, and try to breathe calmly until the pressure on the heart decreases. If the doctor prescribed a medication such as nitroglycerin, it must be used as recommended immediately upon the appearance of pain. Also, it is necessary to avoid any physical effort or emotion at that moment. However, these procedures cannot be relied upon alone, and emergency services must be contacted if the pain continues or is severe.
What are the angina treatment pills?
There is more than one type of medication that the doctor prescribes according to the condition. Among the most common are nitroglycerin drugs, which help widen the arteries and improve blood flow to the heart quickly. There are also medications to reduce the burden on the heart such as beta-blockers or calcium inhibitors, in addition to medications that prevent the formation of clots such as aspirin or anti-platelet drugs. Choosing the appropriate medication is done only by the doctor after diagnosis.
How do you know you have angina? (Angina sign)
The basic sign is feeling pain or pressure in the middle of the chest, often described as heaviness or contraction, and it may extend to the arm, neck, or jaw. Sometimes it is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness. The pain usually appears with effort or stress and subsides with rest or medication. If you feel these symptoms for the first time, you must check with the doctor immediately to confirm the cause, because ignoring them may be dangerous.
Does aspirin prevent angina?
Aspirin does not directly prevent angina from occurring, but it helps in reducing the risk of clots that may block the arteries and cause angina or a heart attack. Therefore, it is used in some cases as a preventive measure for people susceptible to heart problems, but it is not recommended to take it daily without medical consultation, because it has side effects especially on the stomach and blood. The doctor is the one who determines if it is suitable for your condition or not.
How long does angina last?
Angina pain results from blood not reaching the heart muscle sufficiently due to narrowing or obstruction of the coronary arteries, especially when the patient exerts any effort such as fast walking, climbing stairs, or practicing sports. It lasts for a few continuous minutes, and usually the pain goes away with rest and stopping the effort. If the pain continues for a longer period, it is an indicator of the possibility of a heart clot, and the patient must head to the nearest hospital to receive the necessary treatment.
What are the causes of angina?
The most important causes of angina are decreased blood flow to the heart result of coronary artery disease, or weak blood flow through a narrow heart valve, or weak pumping of the heart muscle, in addition to risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and family history of heart diseases.
