Angina pectoris: beware of severe heart pain

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Extract from the article: At first glance, its symptoms can be confused with those of a myocardial infarction. Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner at the Le Safran clinic in Baguida, explains that angina pectoris causes constrictive, vice-like pain that ...

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At first glance, its symptoms can be confused with those of a myocardial infarction. Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner at the Le Safran clinic in Baguida, explains that angina pectoris causes constrictive, vice-like pain that radiates to the arm or jaw and is accompanied by shortness of breath. The difference is that angina pectoris occurs during exertion and subsides completely when the exertion stops.

Angina corresponds to the progressive development of atherosclerotic plaques, fatty deposits on the inner wall of the arteries, through micro-ruptures and scarring. According to Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner at the “Le Safran” clinic in Baguida, “these plaques restrict blood flow. Above a certain threshold, the decrease 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 pronounced when several risk factors are present, such as "smoking, hypercholesterolemia (high levels of bad fats in the blood), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and hereditary factors. A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to it. Women are also at risk, particularly if they are on contraceptives and during menopause," says Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, a general practitioner.

However, it is important to be aware of the sometimes atypical symptoms in women. “These can include persistent fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and pain in the arm, back, or stomach. These signs are sometimes ignored, but they can lead to a heart attack. Severe stress or sudden exertion can also trigger it,” says Dr. Dieudide Dovonou.

Complications

If left untreated, explains Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, "angina pectoris can progress, causing prolonged pain (lasting more than 20 minutes) that persists at rest. This is acute coronary syndrome: a sign that an atherosclerotic plaque is rupturing, forming a clot in the artery. This is an emergency. A sudden blockage in an artery causes a myocardial infarction, which can lead to cardiac arrest. The longer the artery remains blocked, the more cells will die and the heart muscle will not regenerate, turning into scar tissue and potentially leading to heart failure."

Treatment

To avoid this situation, "it is essential to control risk factors and consult a cardiologist promptly in the event of chest pain or discomfort during exertion. The earlier angina is diagnosed, with identification and treatment of the lesion(s) responsible, the more likely it is that a heart attack can be prevented," recommends Dr. Dovonou. However, there must be signs or a suggestive context that lead the doctor to suspect the diagnosis and quickly prescribe treatment.

William O.