Know the Important Things about an Unstable Angina
What is Unstable Angina ? Unstable Angina or acute coronary syndrome is a condition in which the heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen leading to a heart attack (mostly). The reduced blood supply is caused due to narrowing of blood arteries by a build-up of fatty acids causing rupture of coronary blood vessels. This causes the formation of blood clots in the vessels that block the flow of blood to the heart muscles. This usually occurs when a person is sleeping, resting or due to physical exertion. Angina is common but hard it’s hard to distinguish from different kinds of chest pain. Medical help should be sought if a person experiences unexplained chest pain.
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Who gets Unstable Angina ? Symptoms of Unstable Angina can be sudden and persistent. They can worsen over time and can get more severe and long-lasting. People with unstable angina may experience pressure and heaviness in their chest. Men 45 years older and women 55 years older are more likely to experience unstable angina. In males, the blood blockage usually occurs in the large coronary artery however in females the smaller arteries branching from the coronary artery show some disruption in blood flow. The pain of unstable angina begins from the chest and radiates to the throat, jaw, left or right arm, back, stomach or shoulders.
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The most common symptoms observed in Unstable Angina are : • Shortness of breath • Dizziness • Nausea • Sweating • Vomiting • Anxiety • Sharp chest pain • Noticeable heartbeats • Abdominal pain in women
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Is Unstable Angina life-threatening ? Unstable Angina should be treated as an emergency as it can be life-threatening. If the person experiences worsened or persistent chest pain, ER is needed. Over time fatty deposits in the arteries cause their narrowing and restricted amount of blood reach to the heart. If the fatty deposits rupture it causes blood clots. These blood clots on enlargement can cause blockage in arteries. These blood clots can dissolve partially and form again. Certain dietary and lifestyle habits can increase the chances of unstable angina development. Risks factors including Unstable Angina : • Diabetes • Obesity • High blood pressure • LDL or HDL cholesterol • Consumption of tobacco www.cardium.in
Can Unstable Angina get better with exercise ? Exercising can bring on unstable angina but a supervised program of exercising can strengthen the heart and eventually reduce angina. Adding some exercise to the daily routine can make the person feel better. Aerobic exercise will provide the most benefits as it makes the heart beat faster and increases breathing capacity. Warm-up your body starting slowly for a few minutes. This will widen the blood vessels and you are less likely to develop the symptoms of angina. Begin with short and easy exercises. Heavy breathing is normal if you are exercising after a long time. Slow down gradually before ending the exercise so that the heartbeat and breath can return to their normal rate. Don’t exercise when you get angina symptoms. www.cardium.in
What is the difference between Unstable Angina and a heart attack ? Angina and heart attack have the same symptoms. A person experiencing chest pain can think it’s a heart attack but the cause could be angina. You can feel pressure and squeeze in the chest in both cases but these two heart conditions are completely different. A heart attack can cause permanent damage however angina is a warning sign of heart attack. Angina is the chest pain in the heart caused due to the insufficient supply of blood to the heart muscles. Unstable angina can happen even when the heart is not working vigorously whereas a heart attack occurs when the flow of blood through a coronary artery is blocked. This happens when a plaque breaks open and blood clots block the flow of blood to the artery. Both unstable angina and heart attack require immediate medical assistance. www.cardium.in