Angina occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood as a result of an underlying heart problem, such as coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease. Angina pain may feel like indigestion, pressure or a squeezing sensation in the chest. The pain may also occur in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. The treatment methods for angina include lifestyle changes, medications and some medical procedures.
Lifestyle Changes
According to the Mayo Clinic, lifestyle changes provide sufficient treatment for mild angina, and can also help more severe forms. Try to quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking causes heart problems and can worsen angina symptoms. Added weight can contribute to heart disease. Try to lose weight and talk to a doctor about weight-loss options. Limit the amount of saturated fats and eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Start exercising, but first talk with a doctor about an appropriate exercise plan that doesn't cause overexertion on the body and heart.
Medications
Medications that treat angina, such as coronary vasodilators, affect the blood supply to the heart muscle by causing the blood vessels to relax, reports the American Heart Association. When the blood vessels relax, more oxygen-rich blood gets to the heart. Medications that treat high blood pressure, and other medications called beta-blockers and calcium antagonists, have similar effects on the heart because they increase blood flow to the heart, which slows down the heart rate, thus decreasing the demand for more oxygen.
Angioplasty and Stenting
According to the Mayo Clinic, angioplasty and stenting, along with medications and lifestyle changes, help to improve the flow of blood to the heart. Angioplasty and stenting involve the insertion of a tiny balloon into a narrowed artery. The balloon gets inflated to widen the artery; to keep the artery open, the surgeon inserts a small, wire-mesh stent. The procedure increases blood flow to the heart and reduces or eliminates angina.
Coronary Artery Bypass
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery improves the heart and the heart's blood supply, notes the American Heart Association. The surgeon takes a vein or artery from somewhere else in body to bypass a blocked or narrowed heart artery. The vein or artery routes blood around the blocked part of the artery, forming a kind of detour. Blood flow to the heart increases, reducing or eliminating angina.
