Rest Angina Pectoris

by Richard J. Manager

Acute pain sensations in chest, which may appear during the rest or physical activity or in stressful situations are known as rest angina pectoris or unstable angina. A person may feel pain, fullness or pressure not only in chest but also in arms (usually left arm), neck, back or jaw.

What is the reason of unstable angina appearance?

This state may evolve as a result of heart disease called coronary atherosclerosis. This malady appears because of accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries, which supply blood to the heart). As the quantity of plaques grows, the lumen of the arteries gets narrower. Consequently, the blood flow to the organ gets worse; hence, the heart doesn`t get enough oxygen to function normally. Insufficient blood supply and shortage of oxygen lead to discomfort and pain in chest.

What are the possible ways of rest angina treatment?

Unstable angina needs special attention as it may signal about the coming heart attack. That's why medical consultation is a must in such situation. Depending on the seriousness of the patient's state, a doctor may recommend several ways of treatment:

• Personal lifestyle changes. No matter how serious the state of the patient is, he will be recommended to reduce the amount of foods rich in "bad" cholesterol in his diet and increase physical activity.

• Medical treatment. In case the problem is timely detected the doctor may prescribe some preparations to lower cholesterol levels and drugs, which act like blood thinners (e.g. aspirin or heparin). Besides, some pills for hypertension and arrhythmia may be added. To control the emotional state of an individual there may be used sedative drugs.

• Surgical methods of treatment. If the artery is completely blocked or is too narrow, the patient may need to undergo a surgery during which the blockage will be removed and a stent (a special tube, which prevents arteries from closing) will be installed. In the most difficult situations a coronary artery bypass surgery (changing the route of the blood flow to bypass the blocked part of the artery) may be the only way out.