How many times have you experienced chest pains when emotionally upset? Do you also feel the same type of chest pain while running or while doing physical exertion? It is estimated that more than 3 million Americans are suffering from angina pectoris?
Angina pectoris is characterized by severe chest pain. Some people who suffer from angina the first time have the misconception that they are experiencing heart attack. Angina occurs when the heart muscles experience lack of blood supply and oxygen- a condition called myocardial ischemia. Some study show that millions of people all over the world might be experiencing some form of silent ischemia. This condition happens when the heart muscles experience blood deficiency without the pain experienced in angina. Angina occurs when your heart is subjected to work harder but with no enough blood and oxygen supplying the heart muscles. Although angina is not heart attack, the condition however increases a person’s risk of heart attack in the future.
Angina is usually caused by build up of fatty deposits in the arteries resulting to atherosclerosis. This condition is often the main cause of both angina and heart attack. Other main causes of angina also include high cholesterol level which can speed up the condition dramatically.
If you want to prevent the recurrence of angina, you need to take some steps in order to stop any episodes. Some of these steps include:
1. If you have experienced angina a couple of times, recollect the events which lead to the condition. You can discuss this with your doctor and you can even avoid altogether all those activities which lead to angina. Running and shoveling the snow maybe some of the physical activities which lead to episodes of angina. Be sure to minimize or even avoid these types of physical exertion in order to stop the recurrence of angina.
2. Once you have suffered episodes of angina, you should need to consider doing any types of exercise under your physician’s supervision. Never start a physical fitness plan without consulting your doctor first. Try to do only moderate exercise activities in order to minimize or limit the symptoms of angina.
3. Stress is also a factor which contributes to the symptoms of angina. Learn to handle any stress. If you are emotionally upset, try to practice meditation to combat your emotional stress. This will help you relax.
4. Smoking is one factor which can worsen angina. This will also increase your risk of heart disease. Stop smoking in order to lessen the symptoms of angina and help avoid heart attack.
Finally, try to consume smaller portions of meals each day. Digestion makes your heart work harder which can increase the symptoms of angina. By eating smaller portions, you will not be subjecting your heart to a heavier load of work. Eat healthy food, avoid fatty meals, and help save your heart.