Angina Pectoris ("Angina") Is a recurring pain or discomfort in
the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive
enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD),
which occurs when vessels that carry blood to the heart become narrowed
and blocked due to atherosclerosis. The main cause of narrowing of the
blood vessels is age, but this is accelerated by cigarette smoking. To
a lesser extent people with a high cholesterol level, people who are
obese (overweight), and diabetics are also more at risk.
Diagnosis of angina is largely from the history. That is, there has
been pain, usually brought on by exertion, which is situated as
indicated above, usually goes off within a few minutes when you stop
what you are doing, and is relieved by sucking a GTN (glyceryl
trinitrate) tablet under the tongue.
Treatment:
Angina pectoris can be treated with drugs that affect the supply of
blood to the heart muscle or the heart's demand for oxygen. An example
of the first case are drugs called coronary vasodilators. These drugs
cause blood vessels to relax. When this happens, the opening inside the
vessels (the lumen) gets bigger. Then blood flow improves, allowing
more oxygen and nutrients to reach the heart muscle.
Nitroglycerin is the drug most often used. It relaxes the veins
(reducing the amount of blood that returns to the heart and thus
lessening the work of pumping) and the coronary arteries (increasing
the blood supply to the heart).
In the second case, the heart's demand for oxygen can also be
modified. For example, a drug can be prescribed to reduce blood
pressure. This will reduce the heart's workload and need for oxygen, by
lowering resistance to flow. Drugs that slow the heart rate achieve a
similar effect.
Supplements:
Dietary changes and certain nutrients may be helpfull in reducing your
cholesterol levels and the chances of developing CHD. As well as
following the recommended dietary guideliness the following nutrients
should be taken, Magnesium, Selenium and Vitamin E (When calcium
channel blockers, a type of heart medication, was unable to stop the
episodes of heart pain in 6 of the 29 patients, 300 milligram
supplements of vitamin E taken daily helped the crushing chest pain of
angina).
It appears there are also other key factors in the health of blood
vessels, and they may be influenced by vitamin C. In three recent
reports, these researchers have outlined how patients with a healthy
level of vitamin C in their bloodstream had blood vessels with
significantly improved "vasodilation," or the ability to relax and
avoid dangerous constriction. Coffee (caffeine) should be avoided.
- Facts About Angina. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health
