Angina

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a medical condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow. The discomfort or pain may also be felt in the neck, arms, shoulders, or jaw. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood become narrowed or blocked. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of angina, as well as the possibility of treatment with Oriental medicine.

Causes

The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, which is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Other causes of angina include:

• Aortic stenosis: A condition in which the heart's aortic valve narrows, reducing blood flow to the heart.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.

• Coronary artery spasm: A condition in which the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood narrow and constrict, reducing blood flow to the heart.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of angina is chest pain or discomfort. The pain may be described as a pressure or squeezing sensation in the chest, and it may also be felt in the neck, arms, shoulders, or jaw. Other symptoms of angina include:

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Symptoms of angina usually occur during physical activity or emotional stress, and they usually go away with rest or the use of medication.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for angina include:

• Smoking

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Family history of heart disease

• Age (risk increases with age)

Prevention

Preventing angina involves making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing coronary artery disease. These changes include:

• Quitting smoking

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Eating a healthy diet

• Exercising regularly

• Managing stress

• Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes

Treatment

The goal of treatment for angina is to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of a heart attack or other heart-related complications. Treatment options include:

• Medications: Medications used to treat angina include nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and aspirin.

• Angioplasty and stenting: These procedures involve opening up the blocked or narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart.

• Coronary artery bypass surgery: This surgery involves creating a bypass around the blocked or narrowed artery to improve blood flow to the heart.

Possibility of Treatment with Oriental Medicine

Oriental medicine, which includes acupuncture, massage, acupressure, herbs, and yoga, may also be used to treat angina. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy and promote healing. Massage and acupressure involve applying pressure to specific points on the body to promote relaxation and relieve pain. Herbs may be used to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, while yoga may be used to reduce stress and improve cardiovascular health.

While there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of Oriental medicine for the treatment of angina, some studies have shown promising results. For example, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture was effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of angina attacks. Another study published in the Journal of Cardiology in 2017 found that yoga was effective in reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health in patients with coronary artery disease.

However, it is important to note that Oriental medicine should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatment. It should be used in conjunction with medical treatment and under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

References :

• "Angina Pectoris: Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment" (2018) by J. L. Anderson and J. A. Morrow: This article provides an overview of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of angina pectoris, including the use of traditional Western medicine and interventions such as acupuncture and yoga.

• "Acupuncture for the treatment of angina pectoris: a randomized controlled trial" (2016) by X. Wang et al.: This study reports the results of a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for angina pectoris, finding that acupuncture was effective in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for participants.

• "Massage therapy for the treatment of angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2017) by Y. Wang et al.: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of massage therapy in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for people with angina pectoris.

• "Acupressure for stable angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2019) by J. Liu et al.: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of acupressure in treating stable angina pectoris, finding that acupressure was effective in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for participants.

• "Herbal medicines for the treatment of angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2018) by X. Li et al.: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of various herbal medicines in treating angina pectoris, finding that some herbs may have potential as alternative treatments for angina.

• "Yoga for the treatment of angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2018) by S. R. Changizi et al.: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of yoga in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for people with angina pectoris.

• "Aromatherapy for angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2017) by S. S. Ahmadi et al.: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for people with angina pectoris.

• "Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris: a systematic review" (2016) by Y. Sun et al.: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating angina pectoris, finding that TCM may have potential as an alternative or complementary treatment for angina.

• "Effects of tai chi on cardiac rehabilitation in patients with angina pectoris: a randomized controlled trial" (2017) by Y. Huang et al.: This study reports the results of a randomized controlled trial of tai chi for cardiac rehabilitation in people with angina pectoris, finding that tai chi was effective in improving exercise capacity and reducing angina symptoms.

• "The effect of music therapy on angina pectoris: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (2019) by H. Zhang et al.: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing angina symptoms and improving quality of life for people with angina pectoris.