Facts about Chest Pain you should know and AHA CPR Nashville Classes

Angina, in simple words, is chest pain, discomfort or tightness which may present in the form of an angina attack, pain, or discomfort in the chest that typically lasts from 1 to 15 minutes. It is not a disease, but a symptom of heart disease. Attacks are caused by reduced oxygen in the blood reaching the heart. Treatment options include adopting a few healthy lifestyle measures and medications.

The best way to keep heart disease at bay is by managing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Heart disease can lead to life-threatening cardiac emergencies like the occurrence of a cardiac arrest or heart attack. The best form of treatment is proper application of the life-saving CPR techniques that comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. For an American Heart Association CPR class Nashville, select an accredited training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville. Certified instructors conduct the classes. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers. 

Types of Angina:

Stable or chronic angina- Stable angina occurs when the heart is working harder than usual like during exercise. It has a regular pattern and can be predicted to happen over months or even years. Rest or medication relieves symptoms.

Unstable angina- Unstable angina does not follow a regular pattern. It can occur when at rest and is considered less common and more serious because rest and medication do not relieve it. This version can signal a future myocardial infarction within a short time.

Variant and microvascular angina- Variant or Prinzmetal's angina and microvascular angina are rare and can occur at rest without any underlying coronary artery disease which is usually due to abnormal narrowing or relaxation of the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the heart. Medicine can provide relief.

Some of the symptoms include:

It is felt in the chest region as

1.      squeezing

2.      pressure

3.      heaviness

4.      tightening

5.      burning or aching across the chest, usually starting behind the breastbone

6.      indigestion

7.      heartburn

8.      weakness

9.      sweating

10.  nausea

11.  cramping

12.  shortness of breath

Risk Factors:

1.      unhealthy cholesterol levels

2.      high blood pressure

3.      tobacco smoking

4.      diabetes

5.      being overweight or obese

6.      metabolic syndrome

7.      sedentary lifestyle

8.      being over 45 years of age for men and over 55 years of age for women

9.      a family history of early heart disease

Diagnosis:

1.      Electrocardiogram

2.      Stress test

3.      Chest X-ray

4.      Coronary angioplasty

5.      Blood tests

Treatment- The main goal of the treatment is to reduce pain, prevent symptoms, and lower the risk of myocardial infarction. Few of the lifestyle changes that can treat angina include

1.      Quit smoking

2.      Maintain healthy body weight

3.      Keep your cholesterol in check

4.      Avoid large meals

5.      Avoid or manage stress

6.      Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or no-fat dairy products, and lean meat and fish

Medications include

1.      beta blockers

2.      calcium channel blockers

3.      angiotensin-covering enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

4.      oral anti-platelet medicines

5.      anticoagulants

 

High blood pressure medications may also be prescribed which have been designed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, slow the ticker rate, relax blood vessels, reduce strain on the organ, and prevent blood clots from forming. Surgical procedures may also be necessary in some cases like angioplasty or coronary bypass grafting.

You can either sign up for a course at CPR Nashville online or call on 615-397-9316 for registration.