What is angina?
Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that is caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.
What causes angina?
Angina is usually caused by a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
What are the symptoms of angina?
The symptoms of angina include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, and sweating.
What does angina feel like?
Angina is typically described as a squeezing, pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest. The pain may also radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?
Stable angina is usually triggered by physical exertion or stress, and the symptoms typically go away with rest or medication. Unstable angina is more severe and occurs even at rest. It requires immediate medical attention.
What are the risk factors for angina?
The risk factors for angina include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and age (especially over 65).
How is angina diagnosed?
Angina is usually diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and tests such as electrocardiogram, stress test, echocardiogram, or coronary angiography.
What are the possible treatments for angina?
The possible treatments for angina include lifestyle changes, medication, angioplasty or stenting, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
What lifestyle changes can help manage angina?
Lifestyle changes that can help manage angina include quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, losing weight, managing stress, and avoiding triggers (such as cold weather or heavy meals).
What medications can help manage angina?
Medications that can help manage angina include nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and statins.
What is nitroglycerin and how does it work?
Nitroglycerin is a medication that relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood flow to the heart. It is usually taken sublingually (under the tongue) in case of angina attacks.
What is beta-blocker and how does it work?
Beta-blocker is a medication that reduces the heart rate and the workload of the heart. It is used to prevent angina attacks and to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
What is calcium channel blocker and how does it work?
Calcium channel blocker is a medication that relaxes the blood vessels and reduces the workload of the heart. It is used to prevent angina attacks and to treat high blood pressure and arrhythmias.
What are nitrates and how do they work?
Nitrates are medications that relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart. They are used to prevent and treat angina attacks. They can be taken sublingually, orally, or transdermally (via skin patches).
What are statins and how do they work?
Statins are medications that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. They are used to prevent and treat heart disease, including angina. They work by inhibiting the production of cholesterol by the liver.
What is angioplasty and when is it used?
Angioplasty is a procedure in which a catheter with a balloon on its tip is inserted into a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. The balloon is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow. Sometimes a stent (a small mesh tube) is also inserted to keep the artery open. Angioplasty is used to relieve angina symptoms and to prevent or treat heart attacks.
What is coronary artery bypass graft surgery and when is it used?
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a procedure in which a blood vessel from another part of the body (such as the chest, leg, or arm) is grafted onto a coronary artery to bypass a blockage. This improves blood flow to the heart muscle. CABG surgery is used to relieve angina symptoms and to treat severe coronary artery disease that cannot be treated with medication or angioplasty/stenting.
What is Ludwig's angina?
Ludwig's angina is a severe bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth and the neck that can lead to swelling and obstruction of the airway. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment with antibiotics and airway management.
What are the symptoms of Ludwig's angina?
The symptoms of Ludwig's angina include fever, swelling and pain in the mouth, neck, and face, difficulty speaking and swallowing, drooling, and difficulty breathing.
How is Ludwig's angina diagnosed?
Ludwig's angina is usually diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as CT scan or ultrasound.
What are the possible treatments for Ludwig's angina?
The possible treatments for Ludwig's angina include antibiotics, airway management, and surgical drainage if there is an abscess. In severe cases, hospitalization and intensive care may be required.
Is angina a type of heart attack?
Angina is not a heart attack, but it is a warning sign of heart disease. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked, causing permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Can angina cause a heart attack?
Angina can be a precursor to a heart attack if the underlying coronary artery disease is not treated or controlled. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience angina symptoms.
Can angina go away on its own?
Angina symptoms may go away on their own if the trigger (such as exertion or stress) is removed and the blood flow to the heart is restored. However, angina itself is a chronic condition that requires management to prevent further complications.
Can angina be fatal?
Angina itself is not usually fatal, but it can be a warning sign of heart disease that can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to manage angina and its underlying causes.
Can angina be prevented?
Angina can be prevented or delayed by adopting a healthy lifestyle, controlling the risk factors (such as quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and managing diabetes), and taking medications as prescribed.
Who is at risk for angina?
People who have one or more of the risk factors (such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and age over 65) are at higher risk for developing angina.
Is angina more common in men or women?
Angina is more common in men than women, but the risk for women increases after menopause. Women may also have different angina symptoms than men, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea, which can be mistaken for other conditions.
How can I manage my angina?
You can manage your angina by following your doctor's instructions, taking your medications as prescribed, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, avoiding triggers, and monitoring your symptoms. You should also seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or you experience new symptoms.
Can I still exercise if I have angina?
Exercise is an important part of managing angina, but you should talk to your doctor before starting or changing your exercise regimen. Your doctor can recommend a safe level and type of exercise that is appropriate for your condition.
Log in 
