WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED CHEST PAIN
Chest pain otherwise known as Angina Pectoris is not a disease but a symptom of heart disease.
The word Angina means tightness, squeezing, pressure or pain of the chest, while the word Pectoris is gotten from the type of skeletal muscle of the chest known as pectoralis muscle.
Therefore Angina pectoris or chest is tightness and squeezing pain on the chest when an area of the heart muscles receives less blood oxygen than usual due to block of the arteries that supply that part of the heart muscles.
Alone angina is not life threatening, but it can resemble the symptoms of a heart attack, and it is a sign of heart disease.
Exercise brings on the pain while rest relieves the pain.
HOW DO I KNOW I DON’T HAVE IT?
Angina usually occurs with exercise or vigorous activity that needs more energy.
The persons may experience the following
Pain in the shoulder, back, neck, arm or jaw
Shortness of breaths, anxiety or fear
Tightness of the chest
Squeezing and constricting heavy pain.
This sign usually subsides with rest or relaxation.
If don’t usually experience this signs and symptoms it means you don’t have angina pectoris or chest pain.
TYPES OF CHEST PAIN
There are several types of angina including:
STABLE ANGINA
This occurs when the heart is working harder than usual, for instance during exercise.
It last for 5 minutes
It has a regular pattern and may happen for months or years
Rest and medication often relieve the pain
UNSTABLE ANGINA
It does not follow regular pattern.
Occurs during rest.
It is mostly resulting from atherosclerosis which prevents blood from reaching the heart.
Last more than 5 minutes and may worsen over time
Rest and medication alone may not improve symptoms.
It usually indicates the risk for heart attack.
MICROVASCULAR ANGINA
This affects smallest coronary arteries of the heart
It more persistent than stable angina
Lasts longer than 10min sometimes 30min
VARIANT ANGINA
It is rare
Sometimes called prinzmetal angina
Can develop at rest around midnight or the early morning
Possible triggers include: exposure to cold, stress, medicine smoking, cocaine use.
RISK FACTORS FOR ANGINA
This can develop as a result of
Stress
Overuse of alcohol or drugs
Smoking
Exposure to particles pollution for example at work
Sedentary life style
Unhealthy diet
High cholesterol levels
Obesity
Genetic factors
Diabetes, low blood pressure
Anemia
An age of over 45, for males, or 55, for females
TRIGGERS OF CHEST PAIN
Physical exertion
Stress
Exposure to low temperature
EFFECTS OF CHEST PAIN
Effect on work and social life limiting the nature and frequency of activities you do as an individual.
HOW TO PREVENT CHEST PAIN
The following strategies can help prevent chest pain
Having a varied, nutritious, “heart healthy” diet like fruits, vegetables and good fats from plants.
Avoiding or quitting smoking
Getting regular exercise
Practicing ways to manage stress
SUMMARY
Angina involves sensation if pain squeezing, or pressure in the chest, and it results from too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle.
It is not necessarily dangerous, but it can be a sign of heart disease
Anyone who experiences sudden, unexplained, worsening or chest pain should seek medical attention right away.
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