Angina pectoris—or simply angina—is chest pain or discomfort that keeps coming back. It happens when some part of your heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. Angina can be a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). This occurs when arteries that carry blood to your heart become narrowed and blocked because of atherosclerosis or a blood clot. It can also occur because of unstable plaques, poor blood flow through a narrowed heart valve, a decreased pumping function of the heart muscle, as well as a coronary artery spasm.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that keeps coming back. It happens when some part of our heart does not get enough blood and oxygen.

Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. This occurs when arteries that carry blood to our heart become narrowed and blocked because of atherosclerosis or a blood clot.

Angina can feel like a pressing, squeezing, or crushing pain in the chest under our breastbone or upper back, both arms, neck, or ear lobes.There may also have shortness of breath, weakness, or fatigue 

Managing angina includes managing high blood pressure, stopping cigarette smoking, reducing high blood cholesterol levels, eating less saturated fat, exercising, and losing weight

There are 2 other forms of angina pectoris. They are:

CAUSES OF ANGINA PECTORIS

Angina pectoris occurs when our heart muscle (myocardium) does not get enough blood and oxygen for a given level of work. Insufficient blood supply is called ischemia.

RISK FACTOR OF ANGINA PECTORIS

Anything that causes our heart muscle to need more blood or oxygen supply can result in angina. Risk factors include physical activity, emotional stress, extreme cold and heat, heavy meals, drinking excessive alcohol, and cigarette smoking.

SYMPTOMS OF ANGINA PECTORIS

These are the most common symptoms of angina:

• Pressing, squeezing, or crushing pain, usually in the chest under breastbone.
• Pain may also occur in upper back, both arms, neck, or ear lobes 
• Pain radiating in arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and fatigue
• Feeling faint

An episode of angina means some part of the heart is not getting enough blood supply. If someone have angina,they have an increased risk for a heart attack.

The symptoms of angina pectoris may look like other medical conditions or problems so one may have to aware about his suffering.

DIAGNOSIS OF ANGINA PECTORIS

Angina can often diagnose angina from our symptoms and how and when they occur. Other tests may include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG). 
• Stress test (usually with ECG; also called treadmill or exercise ECG).
• Cardiac catheterization. 
• Cardiac MRI.
• Coronary CT scan.

COMPLICATIONS OF ANGINA PECTORIS

Angina means that you have coronary artery disease and that some part of your heart is not getting enough blood supply. If you have angina, you have an increased risk for a heart attack.

PREVENTION OF ANGINA PECTORIS

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to delay or prevent angina pectoris. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• A healthy diet
• Physical activity and exercise
• Stress management
• Not smoking or quitting smoking
• Keeping or working toward a healthy weight
• Taking medicines as prescribed by doctor
• Treating any related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and overweight

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FORANGINA PECTORIS

Bryonia Alba –There is stitching and tearing pain in region of heart which is aggravated by motion, and better by rest and lying on painful side.

Digitalis – Useful when there is sensation as if heart would stop working, condition of patient is worse by motion. Pulse is slow

Crataegus –Useful when there is pain in the region of heart, and under left clavicle.There is feeble, accelerated and irregular pulse with blueness of fingers and toes.

Naja – Useful when there is severe pain in the region of the heart, extending to nape of the neck having slow and irregular pulse with fluttering and palpitation

Spigelia –There is shooting, stabbing pain with pressure and oppression in chest down the left arm. Acts well in smokers and drunkards. Is a useful remedy in anguishing substernal pain which radiates to neck and arms.There is irregular pulse with tendency to syncope, palpitation and sharp stitches in heart.

Cactus –Very excellent remedy for angina pectoris with constriction and congestion of the heart.There is marked palpitation with prostration.

Veratrum album – Useful for poor heart action in tobacco chewers.There is much palpitation, anxiety and rapid respiration.

Note: Angina is a serious medical condition and may require emergency intervention. If a patient suspects having angina pain, they should immediately consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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