Hardening of the Arteries

Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)

Angina

Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Progressive narrowing of the arteries, due to plaque formation supplies inadequate oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle, during exercise or stress. This condition is called “ischaemia”. When ischaemia of the heart muscle occurs, “angina” is the pain signal from the heart asking for rest.

Angina Pectoris

It means chest pain. This pain is often not confined to the chest. It is often a referred or radiating pain in the upper body, left arm, jaw or upper back. The pain can also show symptoms like heaviness in chest or indigestion.

An angianl attack normally lasts for less than five minutes. The effects of ischemia on the heart muscle are reversible and do not result in the death of cells. An angianl attack can be relieved by rest and medication.

Diagnosing Angina

Certain tests have to be conducted, besides the medical evaluation.

Medical Evaluation

Diagnosis of angina can be made on the basis of your medical history. The relation of your symptoms to your physical activity or emotional stress, identify the risk factors for atherosclerosis. Also certain laboratory tests, a resting electrocardiogram and chest X-ray are needed to help make the diagnosis of your disease.

Medical History

Your pattern of discomfort or pain along with a review of your medial history will help your doctor make a provisional diagnosis of angina.

      The priority will be given to the nature of your discomfort or pain. Its location what brings it on and what relives it.

      Your risk factors will be identified by your doctor.

      Your family history will be assessed – what kind of illnesses do you have in the family, etc.

Women and Heart Disease

Many woman experience short bouts of recurrent chest pain (angina), but routine tests like ECG pick up no abnormality.

Recent research based on a 10 year multicentre study in the United States has stated that women should be examined under “Women’s Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation” or Wise. Women’s pathophysiology is different from that of men.

Women have blood vessels of smaller diameter as compared to men. Blockage in minor vessels deprives the heart of oxygen, causing a condition called ischaemia. Over a time major blockages in the minor vessels and capillaries are not even picked up on an angiogram.

In the case of premenopausal women, due to the presence of estrogen hormone, stress ECG too can give a false test. For women suffering from chest pain and having a clear angiogram, the recommendation is of a stress echo or stress thallium.