ANGINA WHAT IS ANGINA? Angina is caused by a drop in blood flow to the heart. This means the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen to work well. Angina is a serious warning signal. It can happen before or after a heart attack or by itself. Over time, many angina attacks can weaken the heart muscle, so that it does not pump well. This means your body does not get the oxygen it needs to carry out normal activities. Stress can cause angina because it makes your heart work harder. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ANGINA? The signs of angina vary from person to person and between sexes. Angina and heart attack are different conditions, but both can be caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries.
Many things can lead to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. You will learn more about risk factors later in this chapter. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE ANGINA? Rest or a medication called nitroglycerin (or nitro) usually helps angina. Nitroglycerin widens or opens up the coronary arteries. This allows more blood to reach your heart. You need to see a doctor if you are having angina. The doctor will prescribe nitroglycerin. Always carry it with you. 4 | Heart and Stroke Foundation Pain • Tightness, pressure or discomfort in the chest • Ache or discomfort in areas other than the chest:
neck, jaw, throat, shoulder, arms or back • Vague pain (more common in women) • Indigestion or heartburn • Pain that goes away with rest Shortness of breath • Difcfi ulty breathing Tiredness (fatigue) • Being tired all the time for no obvious reason • Trouble getting through normal, everyday activities • Weakness Stable angina Unstable angina • The same each time • Length of discomfort lasts for less than 15 minutes • Physical activity, exercise and/or emotional stress are common causes or triggers • Less predictable • Length of discomfort lasts for more than 15 minutes • Can happen at any time, even during sleep • You feel chest pain you did not have before