Guide to Heart Angina: Types and Treatments

Types and treatments of heart angina vary with the individual. Heart Angina is a term used to describe pain associated with a lack of blood supply to the heart. This is most often caused by restricted arteries. Arteries narrow and become restricted due to the build up of plaque, otherwise known as cholesterol. There are different types of heart angina, depending on the cause of the pain. Treatments are given according to the type of heart disease causing the heart angina.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Angina?
Angina presents itself as a heavy crushing chest pain. The chest feels tight and constricted. There may also be radiating pain which moves into the neck, shoulders, back and the left arm. Other symptoms of heart angina may include sweating, nausea, and heartburn or indigestion. A feeling of weakness or fatigue often accompanies heart angina.

Stable Heart Angina
This is the type of angina that is predictable. It occurs most often during strenuous exercise. Stable heart angina can also present itself during periods of stress. People suffering stable angina on a regular basis are often given nitroglycerin tablets as treatment. Stable heart angina is most often alleviated with rest or self treatment with the nitroglycerin.

Unstable Heart Angina
Types of angina can change as the disease progresses. Unstable heart angina is exactly what it sounds like. Heart angina symptoms change, worsen or become more frequent and less predictable. Angina may begin to occur at times of rest. This increase or change in symptoms should be taken seriously. Even if you have stable angina that is controlled by medication, report any changes to your doctor.

Prinzmetal's Heart Angina
This type of heart angina occurs under specific circumstances. If you notice angina occuring when you are at rest or sleeping, this may be a sign of Printzmetal's angina. This type of angina also occurs during exposure to the cold. Printzmetal's angina is caused by a coronary artery spasm. The spasm restricts blood flow to the heart.

Self Care Treatments for Heart Angina
If you have symptoms of heart angina, get to a doctor right away. Do not drive yourself to the doctor or hospital. Taking an aspirin may lesson the chance of a heart attack. Stop any physical exertion immediately. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe nitroglycerin tablets for angina pain. These are used to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Use nitroglycerin strictly as directed by the doctor. Keep a written record of angina attacks for future reference.

Diagnostic Tests for Heart Angina
Your doctor will most likely want to give you an electrocardiogram. This is a way of electronically monitoring heart function. Sometimes you may undergo a stress test as well. You will perform certain activities such as walking on a treadmill while the doctor keeps track of your heart rate. These tests can determine what types of treatments may be used to alleviate your angina.

Possible Treatments for Heart Angina
One possible treatment for stable angina is a prescription for nitroglycerin tablets. Other medications to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels may also be prescribed. In certain instances, your doctor may want to perform a catheterization. This is a procedure in which a catheter is inserted though a blood vessel and into the heart. A dye is injected to make heart function issues more visible.

Surgery as Treatment for Heart Angina
Some types of heart angina may require surgery. One such surgery is called balloon angioplasty. This is a balloon fed into the artery and inflated to widen the opening. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery may be used as well. In this surgery a new passageway is grafted to the heart. Extreme cases of angina may indicate the need for a heart transplant as treatment.

Please Note: The author is not a licensed medical professional. This article is for general information purposes only. See a doctor for diagnoses and treatment of heart angina.

Sources:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/cad/mi_types.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-angina

http://www.medicinenet.com/angina/article.htm