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.
