Coping with... ANGINA
This chest pain is caused by poor blood flow to the heart muscle
Angina is the warning that a heart attack may later occur. It is usually central, heavy chest pain that may radiate to your neck, left arm, jaw or back. It’s triggered by physical activity or mental stress but usually stops when you rest. You may feel sick, dizzy or breathless, although a few older people may not have much pain.
It is similar to cramp – the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen because the blood vessels that supply it are narrowed, which causes pain, especially when the heart is trying to work harder.
Diagnosis
If you get chest pain that goes when you rest, you must see a doctor urgently. They will examine you, take a detailed medical history and start with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests.
‘Stable angina’ is where attacks have a trigger but stop within minutes of resting, whereas ‘unstable angina’ is more serious and less predictable. There may be no obvious trigger and it may continue when you’re resting. If it doesn’t completely stop on resting, you must call 999, as you may be having a heart attack (myocardial infarction), where part of the heart muscle is not getting any blood at all and is dying.
At this point, it helps to take an aspirin tablet to thin the blood and help it flow as you wait.
Treatment
Initial treatment for stable angina is with medication to open up the heart’s blood vessels. This includes glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets or sprays, or other longer-acting daily medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 3, 2019-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 3, 2019-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Love is a BANANA SPLIT
Did Mum's new boyfriend know the way to a woman's heart?
'I still remember poems I learnt at school'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Actor and Jane Asher
CHERRY GARDEN Street
It was a place of magical childhood memories- but was it home?
JERSEY shores
Beautiful beaches and a mash-up of British and French culture make this island a delightful destination
Lovely lighter DINNERS
Whip up a healthy and nutritious meal
Looking after our WORLD
Two women talk about their efforts to help better the environment
Summer SURPRISES
For a weekend treat, try these classic bakes with a twist
200 years of heroism
The RNLI celebrates its bicentennial of saving people from the sea
Cut your risk of HEART DISEASE!
Some things can increase your chances, including menopause and diabetes. Here's what you need to know – and what you can do
'I want Bob Dylan to join the cobbles'
Dame Maureen Lipman on ageing, her dream co-star in Corrie and overcoming tragedy