Angina pectoris: beware of violent heart pain

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Extract from the article: At first sight, its symptoms may be mistaken for those of a heart attack. Dr Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner at the « Le Safran » clinic in Baguida, explains that angina pectoris causes a constrictive, vise-like pain that radiates into the a

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At first sight, its symptoms may be mistaken for those of a heart attack. Dr Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner at the « Le Safran » clinic in Baguida, explains that angina pectoris causes a constrictive, vise-like pain that radiates into the arm or jaw and is accompanied by shortness of breath. The difference is that angina pectoris occurs when you exert yourself and gives way completely when you stop.

Angina corresponds to the progressive development of atheromatous plaques, fatty deposits on the inner wall of the arteries, through micro-ruptures and scarring. According to Dr Dieudide Dovonou, general practitioner at the « Le Safran » clinic in Baguida, « these plaques restrict the flow of blood. Beyond a certain threshold, the reduction in oxygen in the muscle causes an imbalance between its supply and its needs. This is angina pectoris ».

What are the risk factors?

The development of atherosclerotic plaques is all the more marked when several risk factors are present, such as "smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high levels of bad fats in the blood), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and hereditary factors.A sedentary lifestyle is also a contributing factor.Women are also at risk, particularly if they are on contraceptives or at the menopause", says Dr Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner.Beware, however, of the sometimes atypical symptoms in women. « It could be lasting tiredness, nausea and vomiting, or pain in the arm, back or stomach.These are signs that are sometimes ignored and can lead to a heart attack.Major stress or sudden exertion can also trigger it », says Dr Dieudide Dovonou.

Complications

If left untreated, explains Dr Dieudide Dovonou, « angina pectoris can progress, leading to prolonged pain (more than twenty minutes) that persists at rest.This is acute coronary syndrome: the sign that an atherosclerotic plaque is rupturing, forming a clot in the artery. This is an emergency. An artery that suddenly becomes blocked causes a myocardial infarction, which can be complicated by cardiac arrest. The longer it remains blocked, the more the cells will necrose and the heart muscle will not regenerate, becoming scarred and potentially leading to heart failure ».

Treatment

To avoid reaching this point, « it's essential to keep your risk factors under control and consult a cardiologist as soon as possible if you experience chest pain or discomfort when you exert yourself. The earlier angina is diagnosed and the culprit lesion(s) identified and treated, the more likely it is that a heart attack can be prevented », recommends Dr Dieudide Dovonou. But there still need to be signs or an evocative context leading the doctor to suspect the diagnosis and quickly prescribe treatment.

William O.