Preventing Angina Pain

Preventing Angina Pain

Angina pectoris, commonly known as Angina, is chest pain due to ischemia (a lack of blood, thus a lack of oxygen supply and waste removal) of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries (the heart's blood vessels). Coronary artery disease, the main cause of angina. There is a weak relationship between severity of pain and degree of oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle (i.e., there can be severe pain with little or no risk of a heart attack, and a heart attack can occur without pain). A regular exercise programme under the doctor's supervision can prevent angina. A supervised weight-loss programme in over-weight persons also reduces the chances of angina. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol. The blood pressure should be checked regularly and kept as close as possible to 120/80mmHg. Get relaxed sleep at night. Always carry the medicines prescribed by the doctor along with the prescription. Take sublingual nitroglycerin/isosorbide (or the emergency treatment for angina as advised by the doctor) if stopping an activity doesn't help the pain, or if the pain occurs at rest. Follow-up regularly with the doctor. Avoid stress.