Angina Treatment in Waco Tx

Angina Treatment is a type of chest pain that is caused by limited blood flow to the heart, resulting from coronary artery disease. The pain is often described as squeezing, heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest.

Angina occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries become narrow or blocked. Angina may be new pain or recurring pain that goes away with treatment.

Symptoms of Angina

Angina is not life-threatening. Common symptoms of angina include:

• Squeezing in the chest
• Pressure in the chest
• Heaviness in the chest
• Tightening in the chest
• Burning or aching sensation

Angina pain can also radiate from the chest to the neck, jaw, arms, shoulders, throat, or back.

Other possible symptoms of Angina include:

• Heartburn
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Angina tends to occur more when the heart muscle needs more oxygen. When you’re at rest, the demand for oxygen in the heart is low. The heart muscle may still be able to work with a limited amount of oxygenated blood without triggering Angina.

Angina is triggered more when you’re performing exercises or engaging in strenuous activities when the demand for oxygenated blood in the heart is high.

Causes of Angina

Reduced blood flow to the heart is the cause of Angina. The heart needs oxygenated blood to work properly and survive. When the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygenated blood, it causes Angina.

Coronary artery disease is the major cause of Angina. Coronary artery disease is a condition whereby one or more coronary arteries become narrow or blocked by fatty deposits known as plagues.

The coronary arteries carry oxygenated blood to the heart. Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries causes reduced blood flow to the heart, which causes Angina.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

To diagnose angina, your doctor will do a physical exam by asking you to perform activities or exercises that increase your heart rate. You will also be asked to explain your symptoms. Your medical history, family history, and risk factors will also be assessed.

A variety of tests may be conducted. Tests used to diagnose angina include:

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray will be conducted to enable your doctor to view the condition of your heart and lungs. It also enables your doctor to determine if other conditions are causing your symptoms.

Blood tests

When the heart muscle is damaged, certain heart enzymes enter the bloodstream. A cardiac enzyme blood test can help detect if enzymes have entered your bloodstream.

Stress test

To check for symptoms of angina, a stress test may be conducted. A stress test involves exercising to increase your heart rate. You may be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while the heart is monitored.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram can show if your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or beating irregularly. Your doctor can also look for patterns in your heart rhythm to see if blood flow through your heart is slow or interrupted.

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT)

A cardiac CT scan can show if your heart is enlarged or if the heart’s arteries are narrowed or blocked.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A cardiac MRI test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the heart structure.

Coronary angiography

This test uses X-ray imaging to examine the inside of your heart’s arteries.

Echocardiogram

Sound waves create images of your heart. These images display how blood flows through your heart.

Nuclear stress test

A nuclear stress test is used to measure blood flow to the heart when at rest and during stress. A radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream while a special scanner shows how the radioactive tracer moves through your heart arteries. Areas with little or no amounts of the radioactive tracer suggest poor blood flow.

Treatment of Angina in Waco, Tx

The aim of angina treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms.

Angina Treatment options include:

Medications

Medications used to treat angina include:

• Nitrates

Nitrates are common medications for angina. Nitrates help to relax and widen the arteries to increase blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin is the most common form of nitrate used to treat angina. Your doctor might recommend taking a nitrate before engaging in activities that typically trigger angina.

• Aspirin

Aspirin reduces blood clotting. It makes it easier for blood to flow through narrowed heart arteries.

• Clot-preventing drugs

Clot-preventing medications such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor make blood platelets less likely to stick together. These drugs prevent blood clotting, aiding blow flow through the arteries.

• Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers lower blood pressure by causing the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. They also relax the arteries which improves blood flow through the arteries.

• Statins

Statins are used to lower blood cholesterol. Statins hinder the production of a substance needed by the body to produce cholesterol, which prevents blockages in the arteries.

• Calcium channel blockers

They help to relax and broaden blood vessels to increase blood flow in the arteries.

• Ranolazine

This medication can be prescribed for patients having chronic angina that does not improve with other medications. It can be administered alone or with other angina medications.

Surgery

Surgeries are the last resort when all other treatment options have failed to improve angina.

Surgical procedures used to treat angina include:

• Angioplasty with stenting

This procedure involves inserting a small balloon into the narrowed artery. The balloon will then be inflated to broaden the narrowed artery, and a tiny coil known as a stent will be inserted to keep the narrowed artery open. Angioplasty improves blood flow in the heart. It is recommended for individuals with unstable angina.

• Open-heart surgery

Open-heart surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass surgery involves cutting an artery from somewhere else in the body and then using the artery to bypass a blocked or narrowed artery in the heart. The aim of this surgery is to increase blood flow to the heart using a healthy artery.

What causes angina?

The main cause of angina is a narrowed or blocked coronary artery.

What are the 3 types of angina?

The 3 different types of angina include:

Stable angina

It usually happens during activity and goes away with rest. The chest pain resulting from stable angina typically lasts a short time and is usually similar to previous episodes.

Unstable angina

Unstable angina can occur at rest and during activity. It is unpredictable and the pain gets worsens with less physical activity. It lasts longer than stable angina and the pain is more severe. Unstable angina can lead to a heart attack if the flow of blood to the heart is not improved. Unstable angina requires emergency treatment.

Variant angina

Variant angina is not caused by coronary artery disease. A spasm in the heart’s arteries that reduces blood flow temporarily is the cause. Variant angina causes severe chest pain that often occurs in cycles, typically at rest and overnight.

Angina Treatment FAQS

Can angina just go away?

At rest, your symptoms may go away with stable angina. Medications are recommended to keep symptoms away for a longer period.

What does angina feels like?

Angina feels uncomfortable squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or pain in the chest.

Is angina very serious?

Stable angina is not life-threatening. However, unstable or severe angina can put you at risk of heart attack or death.

What is the life expectancy of someone with angina?

Angina does not shorten lifespan if timely treated. We good treatment you can leave a healthy and normal life.

What foods to avoid if you have angina?

Avoid foods that contain unhealthy or saturated fat such as fried foods, baked foods, processed foods, meat, and other fatty foods.

How long can angina go untreated?

If you have stable angina, you should go for treatment as soon as possible. Delayed treatment can progress to unstable angina. Many episodes of unstable angina could increase your risk of heart attack or heart failure.

Can angina be cured naturally?

Natural ways of curing angina include eating healthy diets and exercising.

How can I reduce angina at home?

You can reduce angina at home by:

• Exercising
• Avoid smoking
• Eat healthy diets
• Avoid or limit alcohol intake
• Reducing stress
• Lose excess weight and maintain it
• Managing health conditions related to heart disease

Can anxiety cause angina?

Anxiety may not cause angina, but it causes symptoms that are associated with angina.