Discomfort or pain in the chest is referred to as “angina” in medical terms. Typically, it occurs when the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygenated blood. The heart starts beating harder and faster to get the blood it needs, resulting in a chest pain. Angina doesn’t fall into any disease category. Instead, it is more of a warning sign indicating you may have heart disease.
The main angina types include:
According to the NHANES (South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), about 6% of Africans report having a heart attack, angina, or chest pain yearly. Depending on the type of angina pain, people may experience different symptoms.
When the heart doesn’t receive oxygenated blood, it strains the heart muscle, which results in discomfort and chest pain. Mostly, angina is a symptom of underlying heart disease caused by different factors such as:
As angina is a widespread condition, it may have a number of risk factors.
A doctor can diagnose angina by taking a patient’s medical history, conducting a physical exam, and performing some tests, such as:
Untreated or poorly managed angina can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, in which your heart may stop beating suddenly. Heart attack is another major complication caused by angina.
Medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery such as angioplasty or bypass are the ways to treat the underlying condition causing angina.
To control or prevent angina, you may:
See a doctor if you experience angina, as it can be a sign of a more serious heart problem. The doctor can help determine the cause of angina and provide appropriate treatment.