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Without enough blood, the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. Syndrome X is a group of risk factors that can lead to diabetes or heart disease.Īngina occurs when there’s not enough blood flow to the heart as a result of heart disease. About 70% of patients are women who are approaching – or have already gone through – menopause.Ĭardiac syndrome X is not the same as syndrome X (also known as metabolic syndrome). Treatment includes medication and lifestyle changes.Nitroglycerin may not relieve the pain.It can happen during exercise or while resting. Pain is more severe and can last longer than stable angina, sometimes 30 minutes or more.Microvascular angina is caused when the tiny blood vessels that feed your heart don’t function properly.
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MVD affects the smallest blood vessels of the heart.
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What do you do if angina lasts longer than a few minutes? Nitroglycerin widens the coronary arteries to allow more oxygen-rich blood to flow to the heart.Ī heart attack is caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart causing damage to the heart muscle. The pain is relieved by stopping the event that caused the strain, or by taking nitroglycerin.If the heart muscle can’t get enough oxygen because of a blockage in blood flow, the strain causes the pain of angina.The heart needs extra oxygen to respond to the demands.Angina happens when exercise, emotional upset or other events make demands on the heart muscle.Heart attacks generally last more than 30 minutes. Three to five minutes – up to 30 minutes.Heart attack symptoms often include nausea or throwing up, weakness, tiredness or sweating. Chest tightness, burning, heaviness, feeling of squeezing or not being able to breathe.Īngina will sometimes cause dizziness, paleness, weakness.Pain or discomfort that can spread to the chest, jaw, shoulders, arms (mostly the left arm) and back.Often during physical activity or stress.Īngina and heart attack can feel the same.You could be experiencing the emergency signs of a heart attack. If you have already been diagnosed with angina and you are experiencing unusual symptoms, or if your medication isn’t working, see a healthcare provider immediately. If you are experiencing chest pain for the first time, seek medical attention immediately.
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