Angina pectoris

What is angina?

Symptoms of angina

Causes of angina

Risk factors and triggers for angina

Prevention / remedies / treatment for angina

References

What is angina?

Angina pectoris is temporary chest pain or feeling of pressure due to lack of blood (and therefore oxygen) to the heart muscle. The main cause of angina is coronary artery disease, when the blood flow in the coronary arteries (the heart's blood vessels) is obstructed by calciferous deposits or a spasm.

Stable angina (effort angina) is the most common, and exhibits no or minimal symptoms when at rest. Activity such as walking or running brings on chest pain or discomfort, and sometimes other symptoms.

Unstable angina can occur at rest, or with minimal exertion. It has usually first occurred in the last 4-6 weeks. It occurs in a crescendo pattern lasting more than 10 minutes, and is distinctly more severe, prolonged, or frequent than previously. Nearly two thirds of unstable anginas occur between 10 PM and 8 AM when patients are at rest. It is a serious indicator of an impending heart attack and needs urgent medical attention.

Microvascular angina is characterized by angina-like chest pain, but is not caused by arterial blockages. The cause is not clear, but it is probably not particularly harmful.

Chest pain lasting only a few seconds is not normally angina.

About 6.3 million Americans experience angina, with a similar rate in the rest of the affluent Western world. The first attack occurs on average at the age of 62. Five years after the first occurrence nearly 5% of individuals die from coronary heart disease, with men more affected than women. (1)

Symptoms of angina

• Angina is usually a chest discomfort rather than severe pain. It is usually described as a tightness, pressure, heaviness, burning, squeezing or choking sensation. Typically, the pain starts from the breast bone in the centre of the chest, moves to the left shoulder, and then along the inner side of the upper left arm to the tip of the little finger. It can also occur in the back, neck, jaw or shoulders.
• The pain or pressure usually lasts for a few minutes.
• A severe attack of angina carries a high risk of a heart attack. Worsening (crescendo) angina attacks, sudden-onset angina at rest, and angina lasting more than 10 minutes are high risk symptoms that require urgent medical attention.
• Being out of breath.
• Sweating.
• Nausea.
• Pallor (looking pale).

Causes of angina

• The primary cause of angina is coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis of the arteries feeding the heart. See these ailments for a list of the risk factors, such as age, cholesterol profile, family history, being unfit, lack of movement and exercise, hypertension, obesity, and prolonged psychosocial stress.
• Angina is mainly a disease of the rich affluent world, caused by the Western diet and closely related to smoking and obesity.

Risk factors and triggers for angina

• Excessive physical activity beyond fitness.
• Chronic stress.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes or insulin resistance.
• High blood pressure.
• Recreational and household drugs including smoking, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, energy drinks.
• Overeating or a full stomach.
• Cold temperatures.

Prevention / remedies / treatment for angina

• Cayenne pepper for immediate relief.
• Apple cider vinegar.
• Garlic.
• Gentle, sustained, regular exercise.
• A low carbohydrate, low starch, no sugar diet.
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids. These should be obtained through your diet, and NOT by using supplements. (2)
• Magnesium.
• A combination of coenzyme Q10 and carnitine. Generally, I don't recommend taking supplements, but for a limited time these may provide support for angina.
• See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.

References

1. Buckley B, Simpson CR, McLernon DJ, et al. Five year prognosis in patients with angina identified in primary care: incident cohort study. 2009, BMJ 339: b3058. doi:10.1136/bmj.b3058. PMID 19661139.

2. Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, Biswas P, Thorpe GC, Moore HJ, Deane KHO, AlAbdulghafoor FK, Summerbell CD, Worthington HV, Song F, Hooper L. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 18 July 2018. Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003177. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3.