Angina: Treatment and Diet

The heart is the most vital part of the human body. Blood is passed through the heart's coronary arteries to the heart muscles, which pumps blood out to every part of the body. Sometimes, coronary arteries narrow down because of the presence of fatty patches called atheroma that grow in their inside lining over a period of time. This causes the condition of 'angina' in a person. The usual symptom of angina is pain in the heart, mostly while doing some strenuous physical activity or while a person is angry or stressed out.

There are mainly two types of angina - namely stable angina and unstable angina. Stable angina normally occurs when a person feels acute pain or tightening in the chest region while doing some exercises like brisk walking or climbing stairs, etc. Unstable angina is a little more serious condition, where a person has chest pain even while indulging in very light physical exercise or sometimes even while resting. A person who smokes and indulges in very little physical activity is likely to have angina. Also, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level and diabetes can give rise to angina. It increases the risk of a person getting a heart attack and it is necessary to maintain a balanced diet along with treatment to cure angina completely.

Treatment for Angina

A person having frequent experiences of chest pain should immediately consult a physician. The most common methods used to diagnose whether a person has angina are blood tests, X-Ray, ECG and echo cardiogram. Treatment given to a person having angina would depend on the severity of that particular person's condition.

Medications are usually prescribed to people with angina to prevent chest pain. They include aspirin, beta-blockers, potassium-channel blockers, long-acting nitrates, calcium channel blockers, etc. Aspirin helps the blood to flow freely even through narrowed arteries. Taking beta blockers reduces blood pressure, while calcium channel blockers help in widening the arteries. People who have a high cholesterol level may also be given statins which help in reducing cholesterol level in the body. Some doctors also give medicines that a person can consume while facing sudden chest pain, including Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), heparin and aspirin, which help in giving instant relief.

If the condition of angina becomes very serious in an individual, the person may have to go through surgery to correct the narrowed arteries. Two of the common surgeries conducted for angina are angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft.

Diet for Angina

Treatment for angina will surely reduce a person's risk of having a heart attack. However, it is necessary to follow a strict diet so that the person does not get affected angina again. An individual who is being treated for angina should totally avoid the consumption of saturated fats and food stuffs that give rise to cholesterol. One should include lots of fruits, cereals, rice, wholegrain bread, vegetables, fibrous foods, etc., in the diet. Fish is a necessary food item in an angina diet, especially oily fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc. People who are fond of meat should opt for lean meat or chicken. Consuming food prepared by using onions and garlic would be beneficial for reducing the cholesterol level.

Along with diet, implementing some important lifestyle changes are also necessary. Smoking should be avoided completely. Alcohol should be consumed in limited proportions, and also intake of chocolate, butter, red meat, sugar, fried foods should be totally stopped.

Angina mostly occurs due to faulty eating habits, however, it can also happen to a person who is under lot of stress and tension. It is advisable to learn some important techniques that help in de-stressing. It is important to remember that angina is a step towards a heart attack and must be taken very seriously. Treatment at the correct time and a strict diet will surely protect the individual from this heart disease.