- What are the signs and symptoms
- Possible causes
- What is the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?
Unstable angina is characterized by chest discomfort, which usually occurs at rest, and may persist for more than 10 minutes. It is intense and of recent onset, of an intermittent character, and can be progressive, that is, it is becoming more and more prolonged and / or more frequent than before.
Chest pain can radiate to the neck, arm or back and symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or excessive sweating can also manifest, and in these cases it is important to seek immediately the urgency for the proper treatment, which usually consists of at rest and administration of nitrates, beta-blockers and anti-aggregants, such as AAS or Clopidogrel, for example.
Often, unstable angina precedes a myocardial infarction, an episode of arrhythmias or, less often, sudden death. Learn to recognize the symptoms of myocardial infarction.
What are the signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms that can occur in a person with unstable angina are pain or discomfort in the chest, which can also be felt in the shoulders, neck, back or arms and which usually occurs spontaneously at rest, and may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, fatigue and excessive sweating.
Possible causes
Unstable angina is usually caused by the accumulation of fatty plaques inside the arteries of the heart or even by the rupture of these plaques, which can lead to the difficulty of blood flow in these vessels. As the blood is responsible for bringing oxygen to the functioning of the heart muscle, reducing the passage of blood, decreases the oxygen in the organ, thus causing chest pain. See what are the main causes of atherosclerosis.
People who are at a higher risk of suffering from unstable angina are those who suffer from diabetes, obesity, a family history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette use, being male and having a sedentary lifestyle.
What is the diagnosis
The doctor usually performs a physical exam, which includes blood pressure measurement and cardiac and pulmonary auscultation. In addition, tests such as blood tests, with collection of cardiac enzymes, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, coronary angiography and / or angiography by computed tomography, for example, may also be performed.
How the treatment is done
Patients with unstable angina should be admitted and monitored by continuous electrocardiogram in order to detect changes in the ST segment and / or cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, in the initial treatment, nitrates, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers should be administered to relieve angina and prevent the recurrence of chest pain, in addition to the use of anti-aggregants or antiplatelet agents such as AAS, clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor, to stabilize the fat plates.
Generally, anticoagulants are also administered to reduce clot formation, such as heparin, which will make blood more fluid. Antihypertensive drugs, such as captopril, for example, can also be used to reduce blood pressure and statins, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin or rosuvastatin, to stabilize plaques.
If unstable angina is confirmed by exams, such as myocardial scintigraphy or transthoracic echocardiography or even cardiac resonance, the patient must undergo cardiac catheterization during the next 24 hours.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?
Stable angina is characterized by discomfort in the chest or arm, which is not necessarily painful, and is often associated with physical effort or stress, and is relieved after 5 to 10 minutes of rest or with sublingual nitroglycerin. Learn more about stable angina.
Unstable angina is also characterized by chest discomfort, but unlike stable angina, it usually occurs at rest, and can also persist for more than 10 minutes, be intense and have a recent onset or be progressive, that is, more prolonged or frequent than before.
