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What is Angina?
Angina is a chest pain or discomfort usually caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It is often a warning sign of coronary artery disease, and it can be a symptom of a heart attack. It can range from a mild, uncomfortable feeling to a severe, crushing pain.
How to Manage Angina Symptoms and Reduce Risk Factors
Managing angina symptoms and reducing risk factors starts with knowing your trigger foods and learning how to manage them. Foods high in fat, salt, and sugar can cause spikes in blood pressure, putting extra strain on your heart. Eating more fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting the amount of saturated fat, sugar, and salt in your diet is important for managing and reducing your risk factors.
In addition to dietary changes, other lifestyle changes can also help reduce angina symptoms and risk factors. Regular exercise, stress management, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Medications for Angina
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medications are available to help manage your condition. Your doctor may prescribe nitrates, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers to lower your blood pressure and improve your heart’s activity. In addition, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers help reduce the amount of stress put on your heart by narrowing your arteries.
Medical Interventions for Angina
If lifestyle changes and medication are not enough to relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend medical interventions such as coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery. Coronary angioplasty is a procedure where a surgeon widens a narrowed artery using a balloon, while bypass surgery involves rerouting blood flow to the heart using a diverted artery.
Long Term Health Impacts of Angina
When angina is left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke. It is important to take steps to reduce your risk of angina and prevent long-term impacts on your health. This can include lifestyle changes, medications, and medical interventions such as angioplasty and surgery.
Conclusion
Learning how to manage angina symptoms and reduce risk factors can help you maintain your health and prevent long-term health impacts. Making small changes in your lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, practicing relaxation techniques, and managing stress can make a big difference. In addition, your doctor may recommend medications or medical interventions to help keep your angina symptoms under control.