What is Angina Symptoms?

A fairly common complaint, angina consists of a constricting chest pain. In the developed world this condition usually affects men over 50, but sometimes those as young as 30; in women it generally strikes in later life. Angina occurs when extra demands are made on the heart during exercise or in stressful situations when oxygen supply may be restricted.

Symptoms 
• Pain resembling a tight band around the chest that can spread up into the neck and jaw and down into an arm, usually the left arm.
• Symptoms associated with exercise, especially after eating, stress, and during very hot or cold weather.
• Possible dizziness, palpitations, nausea, cold sweats, breathlessness, and cold extremities.
• Symptoms wear off after rest.

Causes 
The direct cause of angina is not enough oxygen reaching the heart. This may be because arteries supplying the heart have been damaged by a disease such as atherosclerosis (arteries narrowed by fatty deposits), or because of high blood pressure, malfunctioning heart valves, anemia, or disturbed heart rhythms. Angina may also be caused by spasms in blood vessels. A less common cause is overproduction of hormones (by the thyroid gland) that makes the heart race.

Conventional care 
Angina may be diagnosed by measuring electrical activity in the heart while the patient is on a treadmill, or by X-raying altered blood vessels injected with a highlighting substance (a practice known as coronary angiography). Conventional treatment is with drugs that improve circulation, such as glyceryl trinitrate, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers. Surgery may be necessary. Angioplasty is the insertion and inflation of a balloon in a blocked vessel to widen it. Coronary artery bypass entails placing a section of vein—from a leg, for example—in the heart to bypass a blocked vein.

Homeopathic medicine
A full case history is studied along with the results of explorative tests. Particular attention is paid to triggers of angina and location of the pain. There are two aspects of homeopathic treatment: constitutional treatment aims to relieve pressure in the heart long-term, while acute remedies are prescribed for attacks. Although specific symptoms ultimately determine the choice of constitutional remedy, those that have an affinity with the circulatory system include Apis, effective for fluid retention; Argent. nit., associated with improved nerve conduction to coronary arteries; Arnica, if there is damaged heart muscle—after a heart attack for example; Arsen. alb., for problems in the left side of the heart; and Aurum, for atherosclerosis, other arterial diseases, and valve problems. Acute remedies include Cactus grand., if the chest feels as though there is an iron band around it, and if there are breathing difficulties, cold sweats, pain in the left arm, and falling blood pressure; and Lilium, when the chest feels as though it is in a vise, and there are palpitations and pain in the right arm. Latrodectus mac. is used for serious chest pains, rapid pulse, and numb fingers; and Spigelia is given for palpitations with a thirst for hot water and breathing difficulties relieved by lying on the right.

Lifestyle
Angina sufferers are advised to lose weight and work out a diet for life, with plenty of oily fish, garlic, and brewer’s yeast, but little animal fat, refined carbohydrates, salt, caffeine, and alcohol. Antioxidant and fish-oil supplements may help; as may the use of fresh ginger in cooking. Smoking is not advisable. Relaxation techniques or meditation and regular exercise are advisable. Any conventional drugs should be reviewed with a doctor.

C A U T I O N
• If pain lasts for more than five minutes and does not ease after rest, call 911. If trained, administer first aid for a heart attack.
• If angina attacks are becoming progressively worse, consult a doctor.
• Never change the dosage of conventional drugs without consulting a doctor.