Do you often encounter episodes of chest pain from exertion? This discomfort can occur due to poor blood circulation in your heart. Our heart muscles function 24 hours and need a constant supply of oxygen. A network of coronary arteries fuels your heart with this oxygen-rich blood. Chest pain, medically known as angina pectoris, develops when blocked or narrowed arteries fail to supply enough blood to your heart muscles.
Common causes of Angina Pectoris
- Lack of blood supply to the heart muscles
- Atherosclerosis from a blood clot or fatty plaque
- Narrowed artery, also known as coronary artery disease
There are two types of angina pectoris, stable angina and unstable angina. As the name suggests, Stable Angina occurs in a predictable pattern for the same reasons and last for the same amount of time. It is mainly caused by coronary artery disease, where a blood clot or fat narrows the arteries and restricts the blood flow. On the other hand, unstable angina is unpredictable and can last for beyond 15 minutes even while you’re at rest.
You might be suffering from stable angina without even noticing the contributing factors. Your surroundings or lifestyle, such as the following, play a role in disrupting the oxygen supply to your heart:
- Emotional Stress
- Physical Exertion
- Cold Weather
- Indigestion or Large Meals
Apart from these external causes, there are also internal factors such as heart failure, problematic heart valves, anaemia, and hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms
As mentioned before, stable angina is predictable as it emerges from the same problems every time. The chest pains are the most prevalent behind the breastbone on the left side. Stopping or taking time out from whatever you’re doing will ease the pain. However, in most cases, the pain intensifies before gradually fading away. Many patients complain of feeling a pang of tightening, heavy pressure, crushing, or squeezing in the chest during an angina attack. It is a sprawling pain that can spread across the chest and radiate to other parts like the neck, shoulders, back, jaw, and arms. Other less common symptoms of stable angina are:
- Feeling of indigestion
- Nausea or sweating
- Shortness of Breath
- Dizziness
Diagnosis
If you have frequently witnessed any of the symptoms, search “best cardiologist near me” or”Best Cardiac Surgeons in India“, and it will redirect you to SeekMed. This platform boasts of India’s award-winning health experts. Our medical professionals may ask for the following tests to thoroughly diagnose your condition.
- Blood Test
- CT Scan
- Electrocardiogram
- Coronary Angiography
- Cholesterol Profile
Treatment
Where there’s a heart and will, there’s a way! Stable angina is easily curable if you religiously follow your doctor’s advice. Based on your test reports, your medical provider may try to bring some changes to your lifestyle or recommend medicines. Treatments for coronary artery disease widely include:
- Improvement in lifestyle and habits
- Medications
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Stent placement
One of the most common mistakes among people suffering from the disease is when they stop taking the medicines themselves. It is always wise to consult your medical advisor before stopping your treatments for heart disease, or you may end up putting yourself at risk for heart failure.
You may also seek a second opinion from our panel of accomplished medical professionals. Find the best treatments for heart disease under our umbrella from the convenience of home. We offer many expert services that range from stroke treatment to high BP treatment and treatments for heart disease. Tele-medicine is the dawn of a new era that heralds convenient living with easily approachable and affordable medical consultation and services.
Reach our experts immediately if you or anyone you know is experiencing sudden and unexplained chest pain. Procrastination during this stage can only make your condition severe.
