CHEST PAIN AWARENESS
Heart attacks are
the leading cause of death for men and women in this country. As many
as 1.5 million in the United States will have
a heart attack and one-third of these victims will die. This pamphlet
has been designed by the health care professionals of Marquette General
Hospital to help you grasp what chest pain means and what chest pain
signs to be aware of.
WHAT IS ANGINA?
Angina is temporary chest pain that is caused by not enough blood
to the heart muscle. This is the result of fat build up in the arteries,
which blocks the normal flow of blood to the heart.
The heart does not suffer from lasting damage during an angina attack.
More than four million people in this country have angina attacks.
- HOW LONG DOES ANGINA LAST?
Angina
may last 30 seconds to 30 minutes.
- WHEN ARE YOU LIKELY TO HAVE AN ATTACK OF ANGINA?
You are likely to have an angina attack when your heart has to work hard.
Such as:
- Walking up a hill
- Eating a big meal
- During extreme hot or cold weather
- Mental stress
- Intake of alcohol and smoking
- IS AN ANGINA ATTACK THE SAME AS A HEART ATTACK?
During an angina attack there is a partial blockage to the heart which allows
some blood to reach the heart. When angina becomes longer and more frequent,
there is a greater risk of having a heart attack. If you have angina, it
is important to learn the patterns of you attacks and share this information
with your doctor:
- What causes your attacks
- What it feels like
- How long attacks last
- Do pills relieve your attacks
- WHEN
A HEART ATTACK OCCURS, THERE IS A COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF AN ARTERY
AND NO BLOOD FLOWS TO THE HEART.
- HOW
CAN YOU TELL IF YOU’RE HAVING A HEART
ATTACK?
If you have severe chest pains or pain that lasts more than 30 minutes, sweating,
nausea, shortness of breath, sense of doom, or fatigue, you may be having
a heart attack. More than 250,000 people die of a heart attack within one
hour of onset. It is vital to go to seek help immediately if you sense you
are having a heart attack.
- HOW IS ANGINA DIAGNOSED?
Doctors sometimes detect angina by noting the patient’s symptoms and
how they arise
- An electrocardiogram
(ECG), a stress test, and a heart cath may also be used to diagnose
angina. These tests may show the heart muscle
is not getting as much blood as it needs.
- CAN ANGINA BE TREATED?
Angina is a treatable condition. You, with you doctor can determine the best
way to manage it. This may include:
- Oral nitroglycerin tablets, nitroglycerin ointments or patches
- Pills to help your heart function better
- Stop smoking
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Decrease high fat and high cholesterol foods
- Monitor blood pressure
- Begin a low intensity, regular walking program
Additional
health information is also available through the MGH
Health Information Center
(906)225-4950 or 1-800-562-9753, ext.4950.
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