Ms. Wu is 54 years old this year, often chest tightness and pain, so she went to the hospital for examination, did coronary angiography everything is normal, asked the doctor if it was caused by other reasons, the doctor diagnosed it as angina, but unlike most people's onset site, Ms. Wu is microvascular angina.
So what is microvascular angina and what is the difference between ordinary angina?
1. What is angina?
Angina pectoris is chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart. This is because of coronary arteriosclerosis, which deprives the heart muscle of oxygen. When the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, it releases some chemicals that stimulate the nerves and make us feel chest pain. The pain may radiate to the shoulders, arms and neck.
There are many causes of angina, one of which is that as we age, the arteries become stiffer, causing the blood vessels to narrow, blood flow is poor, and the heart muscle does not get enough blood, which triggers angina.
In addition, when the heart needs more oxygen and nutrients to maintain high-intensity exercise or cope with emotional stress, the oxygen consumption of the heart muscle increases. If the coronary arteries don't provide enough blood, angina can also be triggered.
There are also some lifestyle Xi that can also cause angina, such as smoking, lack of exercise, high-fat diet, etc. These Xi can lead to inflammation of blood vessels or atherosclerosis, which can further lead to angina.
2. How to distinguish between ordinary angina pectoris and microvascular angina?
1. Common angina
The pain is usually relatively intense, and the patient may feel tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest. This pain usually lasts for a long time, but usually within 15 minutes. During the attack, patients may also experience symptoms such as sweating and nausea. These symptoms can be very uncomfortable and seriously affect the quality of life.
The onset of common angina is usually triggered, and the most common triggers include exertion, agitation, and full meals. When people are overworked at work, Xi or in life, or have large mood swings, it is easy to trigger angina. In addition, overeating can also lead to an increased burden on the heart, which can induce angina.
2. Microvascular angina:
It is a unique type of angina pectoris that is distinctly different from ordinary angina. Common angina is mainly caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries, while microvascular angina is caused by the dysfunction of the tiny blood vessels in the heart. This dysfunction may stem from a variety of causes, such as vascular endothelial cell damage, abnormal neurosystemic circulatory regulation, etc.
Microvascular angina pectoris is relatively mild in pain and short-lived. In general, the onset of pain does not last more than 5 minutes. During this time, patients may feel discomfort, tingling, or dull pain in the chest.
However, these symptoms tend to be difficult to detect because the pain is mild, the timing of onset is not obvious, and it may appear suddenly at any point in time.
This condition makes it difficult for patients to predict when they will have an attack, which adds to the psychological burden. Because the symptoms are atypical, they are easy to overlook. To ensure early detection and treatment, patients should pay close attention to their physical condition and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms such as chest discomfort are noticed.
3. If you have angina, do these five steps!
When angina strikes, follow these five steps to cope:
The first step is to stay calm
Once you have angina, the first thing to do is to stay calm and avoid panic and nervousness. Nervousness and panic can cause the body to react to stress, which can make angina worse. Therefore, staying calm is the first principle of coping with angina.
The second step is to rest
Immediately interrupt all activity and find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. While resting, try to keep your body relaxed and not apply too much force. Such rest can reduce the workload of the heart and help relieve the symptoms of angina.
The third step is to take a deep breath
Taking deep breaths helps relax the body and relieve pain. Deep breathing can increase the oxygen supply in the body and improve the hypoxic state of the heart muscle, thereby reducing angina. During deep breathing, keep your breathing slow and even, which can help calm your mind.
Fourth, nitroglycerin is administered sublingually
If the patient has a confirmed diagnosis of angina, nitroglycerin can be taken sublingually at the time of the attack. Nitroglycerin can dilate the coronary arteries, increase the blood supply to the heart, and relieve angina. But when using nitroglycerin, be careful to follow your doctor's advice and not overdose.
The fifth step is to seek medical attention
When angina occurs, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if it is the first attack or if the pain lasts for a long time. The onset of angina pectoris may be a manifestation of serious cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, and timely medical attention can help to clarify the diagnosis and take appropriate treatment measures in time.
During an angina attack, keep these five steps in mind to ease the pain and keep yourself safe. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a good Xi of life, regular physical examinations, and timely detection and treatment of potential cardiovascular diseases.
Fourth, angina patients should pay attention to these at ordinary times!
1. In terms of diet, you should maintain a low-salt, low-fat, and high-fiber diet. A diet high in salt increases the risk of high blood pressure, which is one of the important risk factors for angina. A high-fat diet can lead to dyslipidemia and increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which is one of the main causes of angina. A high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar and prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition, excessively oily foods and sweets should be avoided, which can lead to weight gain and increased blood sugar.
2. Maintaining a normal weight range is also very important for the prevention and treatment of angina. Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. It is recommended to control weight and avoid obesity through a reasonable diet and proper exercise.
3. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake are also very important for angina prevention and treatment. Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of angina and myocardial infarction, while limiting alcohol intake can also help prevent cardiovascular disease.
4. Emotion management is also very important for the prevention and treatment of angina. Being in a state of anxiety, depression and other negative emotions for a long time can lead to tension in the body and increase the burden on the heart. It is recommended to learn to adjust your emotions, keep your mood happy, and avoid excessive tension and anxiety.
5. Regular check-ups are also very important for the prevention and treatment of angina. Regular cardiovascular check-ups can keep abreast of your physical condition, detect potential risks of cardiovascular disease, adjust your treatment plan, and prevent the occurrence and worsening of angina. It is recommended to have cardiovascular check-ups once a year, with more frequency if necessary.
summary
By understanding the mechanism of microvascular angina, distinguishing different types of angina, and mastering coping methods and precautions, we can better prevent and cope with angina pectoris and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
At the same time, it is important for patients with angina pectoris to maintain a healthy lifestyle and actively treat related diseases.