Angina Pectoris: Treatment and Prevention

Before an individualized treatment plan can be created, an accurate diagnosis is required. By means of a cardiac catheterization, the coronary vessels, including possible constrictions, can be X-rayed. If relevant vascular calcification is detected, there are basically three treatment options. All three treatments can improve blood flow to the heart muscle and physical performance, reduce the symptoms of angina pectoris and thus improve quality of life. The therapy is also thought to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and the associated risk of mortality.

Three routes of treatment

The three options for treating chest tightness (angina) include:

  • Drug therapy is designed to make acute symptoms subside and prevent or at least slow further progression of the disease. Important active substances are nitrates (“nitro” can bring an acute attack to subside in a few minutes as a spray or crushing capsule), beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.
  • The expansion of individual narrowing of the coronary arteries by balloon catheter in the context of cardiac catheterization, thereby possibly inserting a stent.
  • A bypass surgery

Which form of therapy is appropriate must be decided by the specialist in each individual case.

Prevent angina pectoris

Regardless of the stage of the disease, it is necessary to control the so-called risk factors for vascular disease. Specifically, this means nicotine abstinence, low-salt diet for hypertension, low-sugar diet for diabetes mellitus, low-fat diet for dyslipidemia, and low-meat diet for gout. In most cases, the above dietary measures must be supported by medication.

In addition, regulation of weight, regular physical activity and reduction of psychological stress factors are recommended. In cases of genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, special attention should be paid to additional, treatable risk factors.