Chest pain comes and goes... Is this Stable Angina? Let's find out for sure!

Imagine you are climbing a flight of stairs, or walking a little briskly. Suddenly, you feel a tightness in the middle of your chest, as if someone is climbing on your chest, a pressure, and a pain. But the amazing thing is, when you stop what you are doing and sit down for a while, the pain disappears completely within a few minutes. Have you had this experience? Then this could be Stable Angina . Don't be afraid when you hear this. This is a small signal that your heart is giving you. Let's talk about this clearly and simply.

Simply put, what is Stable Angina?

Stable Angina is not actually a disease, it is a symptom. To be precise, it is the main symptom of a heart condition called Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which is caused by blockage of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

Think of our heart as a motor that works non-stop. This motor needs a constant supply of clean, oxygenated blood to function. This blood is carried to the heart through small tubes called coronary arteries. Over time, things like cholesterol from the food we eat start to build up inside these tubes. It's like moss growing inside a water pipe. We call this 'plaque' . This layer of plaque gradually narrows the blood flow.

Now, when you are normal, at rest, your heart has enough blood to go through this narrowed passage. But when you exercise, walk fast, climb stairs, or are under stress, your heart has to work harder than usual. Then the heart asks for more oxygen. But those narrowed blood vessels can't give the heart the extra blood it needs. At that time, the heart muscle screams, "We don't have enough oxygen." That scream is what we feel as chest pain.

This is called "Stable" because the way this pain occurs occurs in a very specific pattern.

• It usually comes when you're doing something tiring.
• The pain feels the same every time.
• It goes away after a short rest, like 5 minutes.

How does stable angina feel?

Although this varies from person to person, there are some common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.

Why does this situation occur? (Causes and triggers)

As we discussed earlier, the main cause of stable angina is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) , which is narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart. However, this condition can also be caused by several other factors.

• Heart failure after a heart attack
• Heart valve problems
• Heart rhythm problems
• Hyperthyroidism
• Decreased hemoglobin in the blood (Anemia)

Triggers for Angina

Although the cause of this condition is internal, there are certain things that can trigger the pain. We call these 'triggers'.

• Physical exertion: Things like walking briskly, climbing stairs, and lifting weights.
• Stress: Strong emotions such as excessive anger, sadness, and anxiety.
• Sudden changes in temperature: Going from a very hot place to a very cold (AC) room.
• Eating a heavy meal: Some people may experience this discomfort even after eating a full meal.

What to do if you get angina? What are the treatments?

If you start to feel angina pain, don't panic and do these things first.

1. Stop what you are doing: If you are walking or doing something, stop it immediately.

2. Sit or lie down: Relax by sitting in a chair or lying down on a bed.

3. Use the medicine your doctor has prescribed: If your doctor has given you a nitroglycerin tablet or spray, place it under your tongue. This temporarily widens the blood vessels in your heart, making it easier for blood to flow to your heart.

Usually, the pain should be completely gone within 5 minutes of resting and taking Nitroglycerin. If that doesn't work, your doctor will have given you instructions on what to do. It's important to follow those instructions exactly.

This is only a temporary solution. To control angina in the long term, your doctor will prescribe other medications to take daily. For example, beta-blockers , extended-release nitroglycerin , or ranolazine .

Also, treatment is needed to treat the underlying cause of angina (CAD). This may involve inserting a small mesh-like device (stent) into the blood vessel to widen the blockage, or bypass surgery . Your doctor will decide what treatment is best for you and explain it to you.

What should we do to protect ourselves from this situation?

The best way to prevent stable angina is to reduce the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), the underlying cause. That means making lifestyle changes.

• A heart-healthy diet: Reduce foods high in oil, salt, and sugar as much as possible. Instead, include vegetables, fruits, legumes, small fish, and fiber-rich foods (brown rice, oats) in your diet.
• Regular exercise: Engage in simple exercise, such as walking for at least 30 minutes a day. However, if you have angina, it is essential to ask your doctor what exercises are suitable for you.
• Managing other illnesses: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, take the medications your doctor prescribes and manage those conditions well.
• Quit smoking completely: If you smoke, quit today. It's the biggest service you can do for your heart.
• Reduce stress: Maintain mental well-being by doing things like meditation, yoga, listening to music, and engaging in a favorite hobby.

When should we see a doctor?

If you experience chest pain or discomfort like this for the first time in your life, don't ignore it. See a doctor immediately. The doctor will examine you and, if necessary, order some tests like this.

Emergency! When should you go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) together?

Even for someone with stable angina, the condition can sometimes become serious. This can be a sign of unstable angina or a heart attack . In the following cases, go to the emergency room (ETU) of a hospital without delay or call the ambulance service 1990.

It's normal to feel scared and anxious at times when living with this condition. Talk openly with your doctor about it. He or she will give you the support and advice you need. There are many things you can do to protect your heart.