When the blood flow to the heart muscle is interrupted, or blocked, it’s starved of oxygen. This is what causes a heart attack. This incident could then lead to another condition.
There are times when a health complication, such as angina, follows on from a heart attack.
The health charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland confirmed angina as one of the most common after-effects.
Angina is the term given to describe chest discomfort that occurs when the blood supply to the heart becomes restricted.
It’s a symptom of coronary heart disease – and is not an illness in itself.
Like a catch-22, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of a heart attack.
Thus, if you develop angina after a heart attack, it’s your heart’s way of complaining that it’s not getting enough oxygen.
Angina attacks, unlike heart attacks, doesn’t result in permanent damage to the heart.
The temporary shortage of oxygen is known as an angina attack, which usually passes when you take medication.
The prescribed medication to treat angina is usually GTN tablets or spray.
An angina attack can occur during physical exertion, known as stable angina.
Unstable angina, on the other hand, happens when the blood supply to the heart is severely restricted.
As a result, angina attacks happen more frequently and less, and less, activity.
Unstable angina attacks can happen during rest, or may wake you up from a slumber.
These sorts of attacks can last for up to 10 minutes, which can felt in a variety of ways.
The chest pain is described as a “dull ache”, or “heaviness, burning, tightness, constriction or a squeezing sensation”.
Sensations associated with an angina attack will depend on the position of the narrowed arteries, and the extent to which they are restricted.
As well as exercise, stress can be a trigger for either a stable or unstable angina attack.
Feeling angry or upset will result in the narrowed arteries not being able to supply blood to the heart quick enough; this is when pain is felt.
There are numerous risk factors for developing coronary heart disease, which puts you at an increased risk of a heart attack and developing angina.
Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Smoking is also going to increase your chances of developing coronary heart disease.
So will a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and having an unhealthy diet.
Drinking alcohol excessively – especially over the recommended guidelines (14 units per week) is another risk factor for developing the disease.
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