Angina Pectoris

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Angina Pectoris (Lay-mans Term: Chest Pain) is a condition resulting from myocardial ischemia or a   heart condition caused by a temporary lack of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, it is also the primary characteristic of Angina Pectoris. It is caused by imbalance oxygen supply and demand. 

The precipitating factors of Angina Pectoris are:

1. Physical exertion

2. Exposure to cold

3.Eating heavy meal

4.Stress or emotion provoking situation

There are patterns of Angina. This are:

1. Stable Angina/Exertional Angina-- occurs with activities involving emotional or exertional stress.

It is being relieved by rest and has a stable pattern on onset, duration, severity and relieving factors.

2. Unstable/ Preinfarction/ Cresendo Angina-- occurs with unpredictable degree of exertion or emotion, increases in occurance, duration, and severity over time. Pain may not be relieved by Nitroglycerine.

3.Variant/ Prinzmental/ Vasospastic Angina-- results from coronary artery spasm or A contraction (squeezing) of muscles in the artery wall andd may occur at rest.

4. Silent Ischemia-- There is objective evidence of schemia but the patient reports no symptoms.

Pain: Substernal (area beneath the sternum), crushing, squeezing, radiating to shoulder, arms, jaw, neck and back.

Nursing Intervention:

1. Stop all activities

2. Rest in fowlers position (Sitting position) to decrease Oxygen requirement.

3. Reduce Anxiety

4. Lifestyle Changes (Activities and Diet: Low Salt, Low fat, Low Carbohydrate)

Prevention:

• Avoid angina triggers
• Follow a healthy diet
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Avoid alcohol
• Do physical activity regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Learn ways to handle stress and relax
• Take your medicines as your doctor prescribes

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