Unstable angina is characterized by discomfort in the chest, which usually occurs at rest and can persist for more than 10 minutes, is intense and of recent appearance, intermittent in nature and can be progressive, that is, it becomes 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 may also occur, and in these cases it is important to immediately seek the urgency of appropriate treatment, which usually involves rest and administration of nitrates, beta blockers and anti-aggregates, such as AAS or Clopidogrel, for example.
- Unstable angina often precedes a heart attack.
- An episode of arrhythmia.
- Or.
- Less often.
- Sudden death.
- Learn to recognize the symptoms of myocardial infarction.
Signs and symptoms that may occur in a person with unstable angina are chest pain or discomfort, which can also be felt in the shoulders, neck, back or arms and usually occur spontaneously at rest, and may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, fatigue and excessive sweating.
Unstable angina is usually caused by the buildup of fat plaques inside the arteries of the heart or even by rupture of these plaques, which can cause difficulties in blood circulation in these vessels, as the blood is responsible for oxygen supply to the functioning of the heart muscle, reducing blood passage , decrease oxygen in the organ, thus causing chest pain.Find out what are the main causes of atherosclerosis.
The people most at risk of unstable angina are those with diabetes, obesity, a family history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, being a man and living a sedentary lifestyle.
Usually, the doctor performs a physical exam, which includes blood pressure measurement and cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, as well as tests such as blood tests, with collection of cardiac enzymes, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, coronary arteriography and/or CT angiography, for example, can also be performed.
Patients with unstable angina should be hospitalized and monitored with a continuous electrocardiogram to detect changes in the ST segment and/or cardiac arrhythmias.In addition, nitrates, beta blockers or calcium blockers should be administered in the initial treatment to relieve angina and prevent recurrence of chest pain, in addition to the use of antiplatelets or antiplatelet agents such as SAA, clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor., to stabilize fat plaques.
In general, blood thinners are also given to reduce clot formation, such as heparin, which will make blood more fluid. Antihypertensive medications, such as captopril, for example, can also be used to lower blood pressure and statins, such as atorvastatin., simvastatin or rosuvastatin, to stabilize the plates.
If an unstable angina is confirmed by tests, such as a myocardial scan or transthoracic echocardiogram or even cardiac resonance imaging, the patient should undergo cardiac catheterization within 24 hours.
Stable angor is characterized by chest or arm discomfort, which is not necessarily painful and is often associated with physical exertion 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 severe and have a recent onset or be progressive, i.e. longer or more frequent than before.