Angina is a term used for chest pain caused
by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Angina (an-JIE-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is
a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina is typically described as
squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in your chest.
Angina, also called angina pectoris, can be a
recurring problem or a sudden, acute health concern.
Angina is relatively common but can be hard
to distinguish from other types of chest pain, such as the pain or discomfort
of indigestion.
The chest pain and discomfort common with
angina may be described as pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center
of your chest. Some people with angina symptoms describe angina as feeling like
a vise is squeezing their chest or feeling like a heavy weight has been placed
on their chest. For others, it may feel like indigestion.
The severity, duration and type of angina can
vary. It's important to recognize if you have new or changing chest discomfort.
New or different symptoms may signal a more dangerous form of angina (unstable
angina) or a heart attack.
Stable angina is the most common form of
angina, and it typically occurs with exertion and goes away with rest. If chest
discomfort is a new symptom for you, it's important to see your doctor to find
out what's causing your chest pain and to get proper treatment. If you’re
stable angina gets worse or changes, seek medical attention immediately.
Characteristics
of stable angina
- Develops when your heart works harder, such as when you exercise or
climb stairs
- Can usually be predicted and the pain is usually similar to previous
types of chest pain you've had
- Lasts a short time, perhaps five minutes or less
- Disappears sooner if you rest or use your angina medication
Characteristics
of unstable angina (a medical emergency)
- Occurs even at rest
- Is a change in your usual pattern of angina
- Is unexpected
- Is usually more severe and lasts longer than stable angina, maybe as
long as 30 minutes
- May not disappear with rest or use of angina medication
- Might signal a heart attack
Causes
Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to
your heart muscle. Your blood carries oxygen, which your heart muscle needs to
survive. When your heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen, it causes a
condition called ischemia.
The most common cause of reduced blood flow
to your heart muscle is coronary artery disease (CAD). Your heart (coronary)
arteries can become narrowed by deposits called plaques. This is called
atherosclerosis.
This reduced blood flow is a supply problem —
your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. You may wonder why you
don't always have angina if your heart arteries are narrowed due to fatty
buildup. This is because during times of low oxygen demand — when you're
resting, for example — your heart muscle may be able to get by on the reduced
amount of blood flow without triggering angina symptoms. But when you increase
the demand for oxygen, such as when you exercise, this can cause angina.
- Stable angina. Stable angina is usually triggered by physical
exertion. When you climb stairs, exercise or walk, your heart demands more
blood, but it's harder for the muscle to get enough blood when your
arteries are narrowed. Besides physical activity, other factors, such as
emotional stress, cold temperatures, heavy meals and smoking, also can
narrow arteries and trigger angina.
- Unstable angina. If fat-containing deposits (plaques) in a
blood vessel rupture and a blood clot forms, it can quickly block or
reduce flow through a narrowed artery, suddenly and severely decreasing
blood flow to your heart muscle. Unstable angina can also be caused by
blood clots that block or partially block your heart's blood vessels.
Unstable angina worsens and is not relieved
by rest or your usual medications. If the blood flow doesn't improve, heart
muscle deprived of oxygen dies — a heart attack. Unstable angina is dangerous
and requires emergency treatment.
- Variant angina. Variant angina, also called Prinzmetal's
angina, is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery in which the artery
temporarily narrows. This narrowing reduces blood flow to your heart,
causing chest pain. Variant angina can occur even when you're at rest, and
is often severe. It can be relieved with medications.
Symptoms
associated with angina include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain in your arms, neck, jaw, shoulder or back accompanying chest
pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Dizziness
Remedies
for Chest Pain (Angina)
1. Garlic
Garlic is
one of the most effective home remedies for chest pain. According to a 2006
study published in the Journal of Nutrition, regular consumption of garlic
can prevent and delay cardiovascular disease.
It can lower
high cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup on the arterial walls, which in
turn improves the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
- Add ½ teaspoon of garlic juice to a
cup of hot water and drink it.
- As a preventive measure, eat 1 to 2
raw garlic cloves with water every morning on an empty stomach.
2. Ginger
Ginger is
another proven home remedy for chest pain. Gingerol, a chemical compound in
ginger, helps reduce cholesterol levels. Being an antioxidant, it also
protects the blood vessels from damage from cholesterol.
- When suffering from chest pain, drink
a cup of ginger tea. To make the tea, add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to
a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 5 minutes, then strain it.
- For cardiovascular health, eat a small
piece of raw ginger on an empty stomach daily.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is
also recommended to treat chest pain. Its active ingredient called
curcumin helps reduce cholesterol oxidation, plaque buildup and clot formation.
Plus, its anti-inflammatory property helps relieve pain in the chest.
- Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder to a
glass of milk and boil it. Add a little honey and drink it while it is
still warm.
- To improve your heart health, include
turmeric powder in your regular cooking or take turmeric supplements after
consulting a doctor.
4.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne
pepper can provide relief from chest pain. It contains a high concentration of
capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It also works as a blood
regulator to help restore blood flow to the heart.
- Add ½ or 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
powder to a glass of milk or any fruit juice. Drink it and soon the
pain will be gone.
- You can also take cayenne as a
supplement after consulting your doctor.
5. Basil
Basil is
also a good home remedy for chest pain. The magnesium in basil promotes
blood flow by aiding the heart and blood vessels to relax. Plus, the
antioxidant vitamin A in basil prevents the buildup of cholesterol in the blood
vessel walls.
- During chest pain, chew 8 to 10 fresh
basil leaves or drink a cup of basil tea to get relief.
- To prevent chest pain and improve the
condition of your heart, take 1 teaspoon of fresh basil juice along with 1
teaspoon of honey daily on an empty stomach.
6.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is
effective in reducing chest pain as it helps reduce cholesterol levels and
plaque buildup and ensure smooth blood flow toward the heart. It has a good
amount of chlorophyll that helps soften arteries and reduce the incidence of
cardiac chest pain.
- Drink warm alfalfa tea when you have
chest pain. To make the tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried alfalfa leaves to a
cup of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain it.
- You can also take alfalfa supplements
daily to reduce the occurrence of chest pain. Consult your doctor first.
REMEMBER
If your
chest pain lasts longer than a few minutes and doesn't go away when you rest or
take your angina medications, it may be a sign you're having a heart attack.