Coronary heart disease and angina
Coronary heart disease happens when the arteries that supply the heart muscle become narrowed by fatty deposits. This can cause angina — chest pain or tightness during effort or stress that eases with rest. It is a leading cause of death worldwide and is becoming more common in Afghanistan. Treatment and lifestyle changes greatly lower the risk of a heart attack.
Symptoms
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness during exertion, such as climbing stairs, after a heavy meal, in cold weather or with stress
- Pain that may spread to the left arm, neck, jaw or back
- Pain that goes away within a few minutes of rest
- Shortness of breath with effort
- Tiredness
- In women, older people and people with diabetes, symptoms may be mild or unusual
Causes
- Smoking and naswar
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight and little physical activity
- A family history of early heart disease
- Older age and male sex
Prevention
- Do not smoke or use naswar
- Eat less salt and fat, and more vegetables, fruit, lentils and beans
- Be physically active most days
- Keep blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol under control
- Keep a healthy weight
- Have regular check-ups from the age of 40
Treatment
- Medicines prescribed by a doctor, such as aspirin, a statin, blood pressure medicines, and a nitrate spray or tablet under the tongue for angina
- Lifestyle changes: stop smoking, healthy diet, regular activity
- Procedures such as angioplasty with a stent, or bypass surgery, for some people
- Heart rehabilitation and regular follow-up
- Do not start or stop prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
What should I do if angina does not go away?
Stop and rest, and use your nitrate spray or tablet as your doctor told you. If the pain is not gone within about 5 minutes, use it again; if it still lasts, call for emergency help — it may be a heart attack.
Can I be physically active with angina?
Yes. Regular, gentle activity such as walking is good for the heart. Build up slowly, stop if you get pain, and ask your doctor how much activity is safe for you.