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Angina And How It's Treated
In the course of this article, we'll be covering some of the commonly asked questions regarding the condition including what is angina, how is it treated and we'll also look at the most common angina symptoms. Angina Symptoms As with many conditions that are not actually visible to the naked eye, it's useful to know the common symptoms prior to visiting a doctor. With it being a condition of the heart, it is perhaps unsurprising that the most common angina symptoms involve chest discomfort. This can be expressed in different ways including tightness, heaviness and pain which will generally occur during exertion or times of stress. While chest discomfort and pain following exertion are the most regularly occurring angina symptoms, other sufferers occasionally experience breathlessness and pain when eating or breathing. What is Angina? So, you recognize some of the symptoms listed above, but exactly what is angina? Ultimately, at its most basic level, angina is a painful disorder caused by a lack of oxygen (and blood) being supplied to the heart due to a hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries. This narrowing is caused by a build up of plaques of atheroma (fatty patches) within the arteries and is usually the result of the onset of age (most sufferers are over 55), habitual cigarette smoking, hypertension, obesity and diabetes among other causes. There are two main types of angina: stable and unstable. The former is usually expressed as discomfort upon physical exertion and will gradually develop over time, without being directly life threatening. The latter, on the other hand, is potentially life threatening and can occur rapidly and is not necessarily linked to physical exertion. How is Angina Treated? Upon visiting your doctor it is likely that you will be given a blood test and/or an ECG. Following these tests, should you be diagnosed as suffering from angina, the aim will be to relieve discomfort, reduce the frequency of angina attacks and to ensure that the condition doesn't get any worse. To this end, common treatments include prescription medication and in more severe cases surgery. Of course, angina symptoms can be alleviated somewhat through a range of lifestyle changes such as regular light physical exercise, healthy eating, avoiding stress and stopping smoking. Ultimately, if you suspect that you have Angina and if any of the symptoms listed in this article sound familiar, then you should visit your doctor at the earliest opportunity. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Are you suffering from angina? Be sure to visit Patient.co.uk for information on angina symptoms and treatment. |
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