Angina is a specific type of heart disease. It specifically refers to narrow coronary arteries. These are the arteries that supply the myocardium (heart muscle) with precious blood. If these arteries are severely blocked the result is a heart attack.
The narrowing of these arteries occurs because of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and atherosclerosis (plaque building up). These two thing occur from factors such as obesity, smoking, high fat diet, lack of exercise, excessive prolonged stress, diabetes, and age. The healthier a person is the less chance they have of developing angina, but, there are never any guarantees.
Angina is something that a cardiologist will diagnose through specific tests. If any of the following warning signs are present an immediate visit to the doctor's is strongly recommended:
- Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort during rest or during physical activity which is not normally strenuous
- Shortness of breath during rest or during physical activity which is not normally strenuous
- Constant weakness and fatigue
Once diagnosed with angina the condition is permanent. Although health can be improved by changing bad habits, the damage that has already occurred will never go away. From this point the person will most likely require ongoing medical care and usually medication.
The medication is probably going to be nitroglycerin. When taken, nitroglycerin causes vasodilation (a temporary enlargement of the blood vessels). Vasodilation will allow more blood to flow through the narrow passages and relieve the warning signs brought on by exertion. Nitroglycerin can come as a pill which should go under the tongue for faster absorption, or as a spray-again under the tongue, or a patch the person may wear on their arm all day long, or as a paste they put on their skin. In the hospital it can also be administered intravenously.
During an angina attack assist the person by getting the medication. But, legally, we are not allowed to administer medication. If within 10 minutes or so the person does not feel better or they get worse then you need to immediately get them advance medical help. It may mean the condition is more serious, e.g. a heart attack, and the medicine is not working.
Warning: they should not take nitroglycerin if they have taken any erectile dysfunction medication within the last 48 hours, because that will have a doubling effect of vasodilation and a dangerously low blood pressure.
Aspirin can also be taken to reduce the stickiness of blood and therefore improve circulation through the narrow arteries. Beware that some asthmatics may be allergic to aspirin.
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