Angina

What is Angina?

The chest pain or discomfort that your doctor calls angina is caused when your heart cannot get the oxygen it needs.

For example, the chest discomfort you get when you run too fast or too long, makes you get out of breath. It is the same with angina, except it is your heart that is not getting enough oxygen.

What causes Angina?

Your blood vessels carry blood to all parts of your body. The blood has first passed through the blood vessels in your lungs and picked up oxygen to carry with it. When the blood vessels that feed your heart get smaller--or constrict--they can't carry as much blood and oxygen as your body needs.

Is Angina dangerous?

Angina is often a warning sign. If you have angina, your risk for heart disease or a heart attack is higher. Your doctor may give you medicine. Some medicine helps open up the blood vessels around your heart, or others reduce the work your heart has to do. This lets more blood and oxygen flow to your heart and lessens the pain of angina attacks.

What can be done to help?

You can do things to help lower your risk if you have angina. Ask your doctor about ways you can help lower your blood pressure if it is high. This may decrease your pain from angina. If you smoke, you should quit. Smoking has been shown to increase the chance of high blood pressure and angina. If your angina is not too severe, even a little exercise could help. Ask your doctor if he can give you exercises that would be right for you. Don't eat foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Ask your doctor to tell you what foods you should eat and which you should cut back on.