Angina and Heart Diseases

Angina or chest pain has now become a common ailment that is caused by different factors. Sometimes, it requires immediate medical treatment while at others; it is not too severe and can be controlled with medicine and rest. In some cases, heart diseases are also confused with angina pain and vice versa. However, it is always better to consult a doctor on how to deal with it, what causes it and what can be done to prevent it.

Angina

Angina is the chest pain that occurs when the heart does not get its required supply of oxygen in the blood. In most of the cases, this lack of oxygen is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries. Angina pain is also considered a part of heart diseases.

Angina pain often feels like a squeezing, pressure and tightening across the chest. It may often reach till the neck, jaw arms or back. Patient may suffer from indigestion, heartburn, nausea, weakness and sweating.  In case of angina and heart problems, it is advised to consult a physician and get proper treatment.

Heart Diseases

Heart diseases, is a broad term that can be applied to any of the heart problems such as:

• Coronary heart disease, a disease of the heart caused by the accumulation of fatty plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium.
• Ischaemic heart disease, characterized by reduced blood supply to the organ.
• Cardiovascular disease, a sub-umbrella term for a number of diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart.
• Cor pulmonale, a failure of the right side of the heart
• Hereditary heart disease, caused by unavoidable genetic factors since birth.
• Hypertensive heart disease, heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localized high blood pressure.
• Inflammatory heart disease, that involves inflammation of the heart muscle and/or the tissue surrounding it.
• Valvular heart disease, that affects the valves of the heart.

Causes of Angina

Angina often occurs as a result of some strenuous activity or due to some severe emotional stress. In such conditions, the heart needs more blood oxygen as compared to normal circumstances and the narrowed coronary arteries are unable to provide it. This causes pain and feelings of discomfort.

Angina can also be caused due to a number of other reasons such as indigestion or heartburn.

Angina and Heart Diseases

• The most common cause of angina has been declared coronary artery disease, when the cholesterol deposited in the walls of the artery causes formation of cholesterol that leads to narrowing of arteries and angina pain.
• When the arteries become too narrow, they can no longer meet the heart’s demand of blood oxygen and it leads to angina; if something is not done on time it may increase further and cause heart problems.
• Heart problems are caused by blockage of arteries and accumulation of cholesterol in the body. If this persists, it may lead to heart attack and other problems that may be life threatening. When the arteries are blocked more than 50-70%, it leads to heart diseases.

Angina can be called a type of heart related chest pain. Angina pain occurs when the heart does not get its required amount of blood and oxygen due to a variety of reasons. Angina pain can be called as a warning to a serious heart attack. If angina pain is not taken care of and it is not controlled, it can lead to other heart complications.

Due to lack of oxygen in the blood, if other parts of the body do not get their required amount of oxygen, it can cause a stroke or the patient may go into coma.

If angina pain occurs without any prior problem or any warning, it can be quiet dangerous and may need immediate hospitalization. It is imperative that you get medical treatment as soon as possible so that angina pain does not get out of hand and causes further health deterioration.