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Angina

Prima Medicine -  - Internal Medicine

Prima Medicine

Internal Medicine & Family Medicine located in Fairfax, VA, South Riding, VA & Merrifield, VA

Angina is a potentially serious medical condition that is often mistaken for a heart attack. Since it can indicate an underlying disease, it is very important to follow up with your doctor if you have experienced angina. The team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, are experts at treating and managing angina in order to preserve the health of your heart. Call or go online today to schedule your appointment to learn more.

Angina Q & A

What is angina?

Just like your other muscles, your heart needs oxygen to continue to function properly. In a healthy heart, this is not an issue. However, in individuals with heart disease, the flow of blood and oxygen can become restricted.

Angina is a condition where part of your heart muscle does not receive an adequate supply of blood. While similar to a heart attack, angina usually goes away fairly quickly on its own.

However, angina often indicates an underlying condition such as heart disease and can be a warning sign of a heart attack.

It’s very important to seek proper medical care for angina in order to prevent heart attacks and damage to your heart.

What are the symptoms of angina?

The main symptom of angina is chest pain. However, this can present itself in different ways in different people, and it’s important to be aware of the symptoms so that you can identify it if it happens to you. These include:

  • Heaviness
  • Squeezing
  • Fullness
  • Discomfort
  • Aching
  • Burning
  • Pressure

The pain can radiate to other parts of your body, including your:

  • Shoulders
  • Arms
  • Neck
  • Throat
  • Jaw
  • Back

In addition, men and women often experience angina differently. While men often feel pain in their chest, shoulders, or neck, women often describe the sensation as a pressing or crushing sensation, and can feel it in their chest, stomach, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

How is angina treated?

While treatment varies depending on the type and severity of your angina, the aim is always to open up blood flow to the heart and prevent further complications. This can include lifestyle changes such as:

  • Losing weight
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing stress
  • Exercising as recommended by a doctor

In addition, certain medications that act on your heart and blood vessels can be prescribed. In more serious cases, the team at Prima Medicine will recommend more in-depth procedures to open up your blood vessels. These can include:

  • Angioplasty
  • Stents
  • Bypass surgery

It is very important to receive timely and regular care from a doctor in order to manage the situation and protect the health of your heart.

Contact the team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Prima Medicine by phone or go online today to schedule your appointment.