Angina pectoris - symptoms and clear signs of an attack in women and men. The first signs of angina in men Signs of angina in men

Angina pectoris (angina pectoris) is an acute pathology of the coronary blood supply. It occurs due to partial obstruction of the arteries, which provide the transit of blood and oxygen to the myocardium. Angina can be considered a form of coronary heart disease. It provokes a failure of the process of oxidative reactions in the muscle tissues of the heart, where metabolic end products (phosphoric, lactic, carbonic and pyruvic acids) actively accumulate.

The root cause of the disease is atherosclerosis of the arteries, which occurs due to an excess amount of cholesterol. Its deposits clog blood vessels, limiting blood flow to the myocardium of the heart. As a result, oxygen starvation of the heart occurs, which is manifested by unpleasant pains.

Angina pectoris in men is observed, as a rule, in adulthood and advanced age. Actually, this is quite natural, because closer to old age, the walls of blood vessels lose their elasticity and thicken. High blood pressure, excess of dangerous cholesterol and bad habits stimulate and significantly accelerate the hardening of the arterial highways, which causes angina pectoris.

Fortunately, the disease can be prevented and, if necessary, successfully treated. Regular use of drugs containing potassium and magnesium salts, an active lifestyle and a healthy diet are the main conditions for the timely prevention of angina pectoris.

Classification

Today, doctors confidently identify the main forms of coronary disease.

• Progressive angina leads to primary cardiac arrest or provokes myocardial infarction.
• First appeared. Such a diagnosis involves immediate hospitalization of a person.
• Angina pectoris. This is the most common form of this disease. It occurs as a result of significant aerobic physical activity (intense running, climbing heights, etc.). The cause of symptoms can be: overeating, heat, stress, cold, as well as other environmental and physiological factors.
• Resting angina pectoris is a late form of pathology, in which even minor loads lead to burning pain in the chest. In this case, the symptoms can disturb the patient, even when he is completely passive.
• A variant form of the disease is diagnosed with spasms of the heart muscle. As a rule, it manifests itself in representatives of the younger generation.

Complications

Since this pathology of the coronary arteries, in fact, is a companion of coronary artery disease, the clinical complications of these diseases are identical. The patient, first of all, is threatened by the rapid development of chronic heart failure. Severe shortness of breath and swelling of the lower extremities are the first serious signals of this complication.

Pressure in angina pectoris in men and women cannot be considered as a complication, because it is rather an aggravating factor. Since it is more difficult for the heart to pump blood at high pressure, our biological motor wears out quickly. In view of this, tissue rupture occurs and the patient is diagnosed with myocardial infarction.

Causes of angina pectoris

A significant oxygen deficiency in the muscle tissues of the heart is the main cause of the development of coronary disease. Due to the active formation of cholesterol plaques, the lumen of the arteries narrows sharply. As a result, the blood does not deliver the necessary amount of oxygen to the heart, which causes pain. Narrowing of the arteries can also provoke inflammatory processes, for example, syphilitic mesaortitis, poisoning with harmful gases, or spontaneous spasm of vascular smooth muscles.

Men and women are attacked by angina in different ways. Estrogens reliably protect the beautiful half of mankind of childbearing age from diseases of the cardiovascular system. They constantly monitor the amount of dangerous cholesterol in body fluids. Unfortunately, after menopause, the body stops synthesizing sex hormones and women often become victims of angina pectoris and other heart diseases.

Recently, doctors have identified the possibility of a hereditary predisposition to the development of pathology of blood vessels. If close relatives suffered from angina pectoris or coronary artery disease, then the risk of repeating their fate increases by about 10 times.

Clinical picture

As a rule, people suffering from angina pectoris complain of pain or discomfort in the chest. Often the pains are burning, compressing or pressing. They can be designed on the left shoulder, neck and inner arm. Less commonly, they radiate to the interscapular zone of the back, jaw, right half of the trunk and under the xiphoid process. In the latter case, the patient feels nausea, heartburn and even colic.

Most often, pain attacks occur as a reaction to strong emotional arousal, overeating, prolonged exposure to low temperatures, or physical activity. Signs of angina pectoris in men are manifested in the following:

• sudden active sweating;
• burning in the chest;
• the passing character of pains;
• pallor of the epidermis;
• distortion of facial expressions;
• rapid heart rate;
• hard breath.

First aid

Given the huge risk of sudden myocardial infarction, it is extremely important for patients, as well as their loved ones, to know how to provide first aid to a person who is predicted to have seizures. To relieve an attack, doctors recommend using vasodilator drugs, for example, nitroglycerin. It can be safely taken in stressful situations to prevent a possible attack.

If it was not possible to prevent an attack of angina pectoris, the necessary measures should be taken immediately to stop a progressive attack.

To begin with, a person should be seated and provide conditions for the supply of oxygen to the lungs. After that, the patient should be given a vasodilator and stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives.

Diagnostics

The most important step in getting rid of seizures is the timely diagnosis of the disease. This event will reveal the real causes of the development of pathology and develop an ideal treatment regimen.

Primary diagnosis begins with measuring the real pulse rate and blood pressure indicators. After a preliminary examination, the patient must undergo a series of laboratory tests. The most important of them is a blood test for the presence of cholesterol plaques, because they are the main culprits of blockage of blood vessels.

For a more thorough study of the pathology of the coronary arteries in modern medical practice, methods of instrumental diagnostics are used. Today, doctors actively practice the following methods of clinical diagnostics.

Holter monitoring. This research method assumes that the patient will wear a special registrar for 24 hours. This portable device records ECG parameters and transmits relevant information to a computer. Thus, specialists can detect malfunctions in the work of the myocardium in real time.

Load tests. With their help, doctors determine which class of stable angina the patient suffers from. To do this, he is offered to perform a certain amount of work on a treadmill or on a special bicycle ergometer.

For the final clarification of the diagnosis, the patient is usually referred for coronary angiography or multislice tomography. And to determine the severity of arterial damage, the patient is prescribed endovascular echocardiography.

Treatment of angina pectoris

People who have been diagnosed with angina are required to carefully select food. Ingredients that contain saturated fats, a lot of salt, and cholesterol should be excluded from the diet. Its level should be constantly measured and monitored. At the same time, food should be eaten in small portions and overeating should not be allowed.

A person should completely stop smoking, moderate physical activity and unquestioningly adhere to a therapeutic diet. Products should contain sufficient amounts of magnesium and potassium. These elements will help reduce the density of the blood. They increase the elasticity of blood vessels, prevent the formation of blood clots and clots, and also slow down the formation of cholesterol plaques.

In addition to organizing the right diet, doctors recommend that patients diagnosed with angina pectoris use drug therapy. It involves the regular intake of drugs that dilate the arteries and improve the transit of blood to the myocardium. The most popular remedies for angina are nitroglycerin, panangin, aspirin, and calcium channel blockers.

To enhance the effect, cardiologists recommend using mixtures that are prepared according to alternative medicine recipes. As a means of prevention, a mixture of six lemons, one head of garlic and one kilogram of honey has proven to be excellent.

Prevention

Competent prevention of angina pectoris will eliminate almost all risk factors. First of all, a person suffering from angina pectoris should give up bad habits, practice a healthy lifestyle, eat right, constantly monitor blood pressure, avoid stressful situations and consume enough magnesium and potassium.

In order not to allow the disease to progress, the symptoms of angina should not be ignored. When identifying the first signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a cardiologist.

Signs of angina pectoris in men must be known and be able to take the first steps to eliminate this problem, to provide first aid. Today, heart disease is the leading cause of all diseases. They occur regardless of age or gender. Men suffer from such diseases more often than members of the opposite sex. This is due to many factors.

The occurrence of such diseases can occur due to impaired blood circulation. This disrupts the delivery of important elements and oxygen to all organs and their tissues. Nutrients and oxygen are poorly supplied or not supplied at all to the tissues and cells of the myocardium. This condition leads to the development of various diseases of the cardiovascular system. When there is a violation of the normal functioning of the heart, the first alarming symptoms may appear, signaling the first stages of coronary heart disease. This disease has its own forms: acute coronary death, heart failure, myocardial infarction, various disruptions in the heart rhythm, angina pectoris in the elderly (after 50 years). This disease occurs more often in males, this is due to various factors and causes. To be able to start an adequately selected course of treatment, you should undergo an examination and examination, visit a specialist cardiologist.

Causes of angina pectoris

The main difference between men's health problems and women's is that diseases of the cardiovascular system in men occur as a result of excessive physical exertion, stress, overwork, psycho-emotional overstrain.

One such disease is angina pectoris. Its signs are easily recognizable among other ailments of the heart. All the reasons that cause this condition can be divided into two broad categories:

1. Factors that cannot be eliminated (non-modifiable). This is gender, age category, genetic predisposition. Often this disease can occur in men over the age of 50, this is due to many processes occurring in the body, including changes in the endocrine system. Angina pectoris is one of those diseases to which there is a genetic predisposition and is observed in several generations through the male line. This is not always a mandatory circumstance, but people whose relatives suffered from such a disease are at risk;
2. Factors that can be eliminated (modifiable). These are circumstances and conditions that affect the body from the outside. Among these factors, the most common are excessive physical activity, emotional stress, fatty foods, unhealthy lifestyle (alcohol, smoking), lack of physical activity, hypothermia, frequent stressful situations.

To determine the cause of such a disease, one should take into account the history of both the patient and the family history, concomitant factors. This is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment and alleviate the general condition. The doctor examines and determines which of the factors can be eliminated. This is a prerequisite for proper treatment and improving the quality of life.

The most pronounced manifestation of the disease is pain after exercise has been performed. It goes away when the load stops. But there are many other provoking circumstances and reasons why pain of a strong nature can occur.

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Factors provoking the development of the disease

The main factors that can provoke the occurrence of angina pectoris are:

1. Unbalanced and irrational nutrition. This factor is the most frequent provocateur of the onset of the disease. It can be caused by frequent overeating, consumption of excessive amounts of fatty foods, which are harmful not only to the digestive system, but also to the heart.
2. A sharp drop in temperature (downward) and its effect on the body. It can be too cold water, icy air, excessively cold drinks. A lot of angina attacks can be provoked by swimming in a too cold pond, which is noteworthy for people who perform water procedures during frost, attacks practically do not occur.
3. The next factor is advanced age. The most common patients with angina pectoris are men who are over 50 years of age. This may be due to changes in the endocrine system. The female sex also has such a disease, after the onset of menopause.
4. Another factor is thyroid disease, the presence of diabetes in the body. Genetic predisposition is one of the key factors that provoke the onset of the disease. In direct relatives there are cases of occurrence of heart disease. Atherosclerotic disease acts as another provocateur of such an ailment, since during it a decrease in the lumen occurs in the vessels, a decrease in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, thrombophlebitis is formed.
5. One of the factors in the occurrence of angina pectoris is a sedentary lifestyle. This contributes to a set of excessive weight, obesity. Excessive physical overload (this is especially pronounced when there is a lack of oxygen that is delivered to the myocardium), anemia (circulation is disturbed, increased blood viscosity occurs and blood clots form), frequent stresses (high blood pressure, emotional overstrain lead to vasospasm and impaired oxygen supply to blood vessels) . The abuse of cigarettes has a very strong influence on the occurrence of the disease. This addiction can provoke vasospasm, as well as insufficient oxygenation of organs.

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Typical symptoms of angina pectoris

Symptoms of angina pectoris can sometimes resemble the development of other diseases, so this disease is determined by the combination of many signs.

The very first sign of the onset of the disease is a sharp pain that is not relieved with painkillers. The pain syndrome subsides as sharply as it arises. Pain can occur under certain circumstances, often after prolonged physical exertion, emotional stress, and other factors. After taking nitroglycerin, the pain subsides. An attack may come on suddenly, such as when walking up stairs or walking fast. During increased physical activity, the pain increases, with a decrease, it decreases. This symptom is the most characteristic of angina pectoris. Painful sensations are localized in the region of the heart, neck, shoulder blade, left upper limb. During an attack, a condition similar to heartburn is observed, it seems to a person that a stone “lies” on the heart (which is why the people called this disease “angina pectoris”). Sometimes pain may not be felt, the signs in this case are only an uneven heart rate, the appearance of cold sweat, pallor of the skin, deterioration in the general condition, and increased blood pressure.

Typical symptoms of angina are manifested in the form of a sharp jump in pressure, severe and penetrating pain in the chest, burning sensation, rapid and difficult breathing, lack of air, numbness of the hands, followed by loss of sensitivity. The pain may radiate to the left shoulder and arm. These signs are typical for the onset of an angina attack.

Resting angina is a form of coronary artery disease and a type of unstable angina. It is characterized by the occurrence of severe attacks of pain in the heart in a state of physical and psycho-emotional rest. This condition is more dangerous than exertional angina and often leads to the development of myocardial infarction or sudden coronary death. In the medical literature, there may be other names for this disease: postural or decubitus angina.

With rest angina, multiple lesions of the coronary vessels are observed, and the prognosis for the course of this disease in many cases is unfavorable. According to statistics, this pathology is more often detected in men older than 50-55 years, but its development can also occur at a young age.

Why does rest angina develop? How does it manifest itself? What diagnostic and treatment methods are used for this form of angina pectoris? You will find answers to these questions in this article.

Causes

The cause of rest angina, like any other form of coronary artery disease, is atherosclerosis.

The most common cause of rest angina, as well as coronary heart disease, is coronary atherosclerosis, which leads to clogging of the coronary vessels with atherosclerotic plaques and a significant disruption of blood circulation and myocardial nutrition. With this disease, a three-vessel lesion occurs, aggravating the course of the previously present angina pectoris.

Other diseases and conditions accompanied by increased myocardial oxygen demand are also capable of causing the development of this form of angina pectoris:

• arterial hypertension;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• stenosis of the aortic mouth;
• thromboembolism of the coronary arteries (including syphilitic gums);
• coronaritis.

The following factors and diseases can contribute to the development of rest angina:

• age-related changes after 55 years;
• hypoxia;
• increased blood viscosity;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• diabetes;
• anemia;
• infections;
• fever;
• tachyarrhythmias;
• metabolic syndrome;
• obesity;
• menopause in women;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• hereditary predisposition;
• smoking and alcohol abuse;
• belonging to the Caucasian race.

Classification

Depending on the manifestations, cardiologists distinguish two types of rest angina:

• Prinzmetal's angina - provoked by prolonged and sharp spasm of the coronary vessels;
• post-infarction angina - its manifestations occur approximately 2 weeks after myocardial infarction.

Rest angina can be:

• acute - manifested by pronounced and frequent attacks for 2 days;
• subacute - attacks occur over a month and become less pronounced.

Symptoms

The main feature of the clinical picture of rest angina is the occurrence of attacks of anginal pain in the absence of provoking factors characteristic of angina pectoris. With its development, the patient notes that if earlier he had pains in the heart after a stressful situation or physical overstrain, now their appearance occurs for no apparent reason. Most often, pain attacks occur during sleep: at night or in the early morning hours. They are provoked by ischemia of the heart muscle, caused by excessive venous blood flow to the heart in the supine position.

The appearance of pain in the heart makes the patient wake up from sensations of pressure in the chest or suffocation. During an attack, he feels anxiety and fear of death. Anginal pain in this form of angina pectoris is intense, occurs behind the sternum and can be given to the shoulder blade, left arm or jaw. Even slight attempts to move lead to a sharp increase in pain, and the patient takes a stationary position in bed.

Pain in an anginal attack is usually described as pressing or squeezing. With rest angina, the attack is longer (15-20 minutes), and for its relief, the patient has to take more nitroglycerin (2-3 tablets). In many patients, against the background of nocturnal attacks of rest angina, pains in the heart appear during the day, caused by physical exertion.

In addition to anginal pain, manifestations of rest angina are accompanied by a number of autonomic disorders:

• increased heart rate;
• dyspnea;
• arterial hypertension;
• severe pallor or redness of the skin;
• nausea;
• sweating;
• dizziness (up to fainting).

With an attack of rest angina, the patient needs immediate first aid. If the pain in the heart lasts more than half an hour or the number of their episodes increases, then the patient is shown immediate hospitalization in the cardiology department.

Possible Complications

Attacks of rest angina can cause the development of the following life-threatening conditions:

• myocardial infarction;
• tachycardia;
• arrhythmia;
• heart failure.

Diagnostics

To detect rest angina, a comprehensive examination should be carried out, including laboratory and instrumental techniques:

• ECG - depression or ST wave elevation, manifestations of postinfarction cardiosclerosis, conduction and rhythm disturbances are usually determined;
• Holter ECG - allows you to identify signs of myocardial ischemia that appear during the day and may not be detected with a conventional ECG;
• Echo-KG - makes it possible to determine the contractility of the heart muscle and identify concomitant pathologies;
• blood biochemistry - is carried out to determine deviations in the level of triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipoproteins, sugar, ALT and AST, coagulograms;
• coronary angiography (or MR coronary angiography, CT coronary angiography) - allows you to assess the condition of the arteries of the heart and determine further tactics for treating the patient;
• PET of the heart is performed to study the focus of ischemia of the heart muscle.

Treatment

To maintain his condition, to prevent the occurrence of rest angina attacks, the patient should follow all the doctor's recommendations regarding lifestyle and take the prescribed medications.

The tactics of rest angina treatment is determined by the results of diagnostic studies. Patients should refrain from drinking alcohol and energy drinks, smoking, follow a diet to reduce body weight and limit the intake of foods that increase cholesterol levels, exclude stressful situations and maintain adequate physical activity.

During an attack, emergency care is provided, which consists in ensuring rest, an influx of fresh air, a comfortable temperature regime and taking nitroglycerin (Isoket, Nitrominate, etc.), nifedipine, aspirin, and an anesthetic (Spasmalgon, Baralgin, etc.). If the attack becomes uncontrollable and the measures taken do not eliminate the pain, then the patient should call an ambulance.

For drug therapy of angina pectoris, the following drugs can be prescribed:

• organic nitrates of prolonged action: Sustak, Kardiket, Isosorbite mononitrate, Corvaton;
• antiplatelet agents: Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl, etc.;
• ACE inhibitors: Kapoten, Dapril, Enalapril, etc.;
• beta-blockers: Betacard (Atenolol), Nebivolol, Anaprilin, Korgard, etc.;
• calcium antagonists - verapamil, nifedipine, diltiazem, etc.;
• statins: simvastatin, atorvastatin, etc.

In severe atherosclerotic damage to the coronary arteries, conservative therapy is ineffective and the patient is recommended surgical treatment. To restore normal blood circulation in the vessels of the heart, the following operations can be performed:

• balloon angioplasty with stenting - a catheter with an expanding balloon is inserted into the narrowed coronary vessel and a stent is inserted into the lumen of the affected artery, expanding its lumen;
• coronary artery bypass grafting - performed with a significant narrowing of the arteries, during the operation, a bypass blood supply path is created to deliver blood to the ischemic focus.

The effectiveness of surgical correction for rest angina is determined by the clinical case. As a rule, the effectiveness of balloon angioplasty with stenting is high, and the patient stops having attacks of anginal pain. Sometimes, over time, re-narrowing of the artery occurs. The effectiveness of coronary artery bypass grafting is also high, but in about 20-25% of patients after 8-10 years there is a need for a second operation.

After discharge from the hospital, patients with angina pectoris are shown dispensary observation to monitor the progression of the disease and correct therapy.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you experience pain in the heart at rest or during a night's sleep, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure and tachycardia, you should contact a cardiologist. After a series of studies (ECG, Holter ECG, Echo-KG, coronary angiography, blood and urine tests), the doctor will draw up a plan for further treatment of the patient. If surgical correction is necessary, the patient needs to consult a vascular surgeon.

Resting angina is characterized by the occurrence of pain in the heart, the appearance of which is not associated with physical activity or stress factors. This pathology is provoked by a more pronounced circulatory disorder in the coronary arteries and its manifestations are more intense than the symptoms of angina pectoris. Severe ischemia of the heart muscle can cause the development of myocardial infarction and the onset of sudden coronary death. Treatment for rest angina can be conservative or surgical.

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Causes, symptoms and treatment of hypertension

In the human body, blood circulates through the vessels, which are represented by veins, arteries and capillaries. The heart is responsible for pumping blood. The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the organ ensures the pumping of blood into the arteries, which puts pressure on the inner wall of the vessel. Without blood pressure (BP), blood circulation throughout the body is impossible.

At the moment of contraction of the heart, blood pressure is maximum. It is called systolic, or upper. The stage of the cardiac cycle, which is characterized by maximum pressure in the arteries, is called systole. The indicator decreases in the interval between two successive contractions of the heart. At the moment of relaxation of the heart muscle, blood pressure is minimal. It is called diastolic (lower).

To measure the indicator, a tonometer is used, and the blood pressure itself is measured and given in mm Hg. Art. The indicator of the upper pressure is in the first place, the lower - in the second. If you subtract the second from the first indicator, you get the pulse pressure. BP is an unstable parameter. It changes with physical and emotional stress. With age, a person develops high blood pressure.

In adults under 50 years of age, normal blood pressure is 116–129/72–82 mm Hg. Art. In a person over 50 years of age, normal blood pressure does not exceed 140/89 mm Hg. Art. A slight excess of blood pressure can be observed in pregnant women and adolescents. Usually this phenomenon is due to the instability of the hormonal background. If the pressure exceeds 140/90 mm Hg. Art., we are talking about hypertension (hypertension).

Degrees of illness and causes

There are 3 stages of hypertension:

1. Mild: BP ranges from 140–159/90–99 mm Hg. Art.
2. Moderate: 160–179/100–109 mmHg Art.
3. Severe: systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg. Art., diastolic - 110 mm Hg. Art.

High blood pressure has its reasons:

• almost 90% of patients with hypertension are overweight up to obesity (this phenomenon is called the metabolic syndrome and is often accompanied by diabetes mellitus);
• 5% of people with hypertension are diagnosed with thyroid and kidney disease;
• 3% of patients with blood pressure problems suffer from magnesium deficiency in the body;
• in 2% of people, high blood pressure is provoked by a tumor on the adrenal glands or pituitary gland.

With age, the walls of blood vessels lose their elasticity, thereby provoking problems with blood pressure. If a person has diabetes and atherosclerosis, the risk of developing hypertension increases several times. Hypertension is also diagnosed in those people whose blood relatives also suffered from this disease. Problems with blood pressure occur in people who are under constant stress.

An increase in pressure can occur after an overdose of certain drugs, as well as after the abuse of energy drinks, even in those who suffer from hypotension. Dehydration can also be seen as a cause of problems with vascular tone.

With regard to such a factor as gender, men are diagnosed with high blood pressure more often than women. However, in the latter, the risk of hypertension increases after 50-55 years with the onset of menopause. Before this period in the life of women in their blood there is a sufficient concentration of sex hormones, in particular, estrogen, which gives elasticity to the vessels. However, during menopause, the synthesis of such hormones is sharply reduced, due to which the woman's vessels become vulnerable. As for the representatives of the stronger sex, the causes of high blood pressure in men include:

• excess weight;
• alcohol abuse and smoking;
• emotional stress associated with work;
• salt abuse.

Hypertension is a life-threatening condition: the higher the pressure in the vessels, the more intense the work that the heart performs. If the disease is not treated, the body will work for wear, which is why its walls thicken. This phenomenon contributes to the violation of its functions. Hypertension increases the risk of a life-threatening condition, namely myocardial infarction, by several times. At a pressure above the norm, the vessels suffer: due to the permanently increased tone, their walls become thinner, which provokes a violation of blood circulation. This phenomenon makes it difficult for the full blood supply to the tissues of organs, including the heart, with oxygen and nutrients.

In addition, high blood pressure is one of the reasons for the development of atherosclerosis - a disease of the veins and arteries, in which their lumen narrows due to deposits on the walls of fat (cholesterol) and connective tissue. The so-called plaques begin to grow, thereby narrowing the lumen of the vessel: this condition causes circulatory disorders. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of blood clots (blood clots). The most dangerous consequence of the disease is the blockage of the vessel that transports blood to a specific organ. Because of this, necrosis of its sections (ischemia) occurs. The destructive effects of atherosclerosis affect the large vessels of the brain and heart.

With increased pressure, aneurysms form. These are thinned sections of the walls of large vessels, which, under the pressure of blood, can exfoliate or rupture. A rupture of an aneurysm is identified with a rupture of a vessel with all the ensuing consequences. For example, a rupture of a cerebral vessel causes a hemorrhagic stroke. Collapse of the aorta in most cases leads to death, which occurs within a few minutes.

signs

Symptoms of hypertension depend on the degree of the disease. If the pressure rises slightly, the person will feel only a slight malaise. Many people who rarely have high blood pressure may not show any signs. Symptoms of hypertension 1 degree:

• dizziness;
• sleep problems;
• violation of the heart rhythm.

With hypertension of the first degree, signs of high blood pressure disappear after rest. At the initial stage of the disease, the organs are not affected by the negative effects of high pressure in the vessels. In some patients, there is an increase in vascular tone of the fundus. The probability of hypertensive crises is minimal. Grade 1 hypertension is easily corrected, but if treatment has not been started, the pressure will continue to rise.

Symptoms of high blood pressure with hypertension of the 2nd degree:

• shortness of breath on exertion;
• sleep disturbance;
• angina;
• headaches;
• nausea;
• prostration.

Moderate hypertension is characterized by the fact that the pressure does not normalize even after rest. It is possible to bring the indicator back to normal only with the help of medicines. With hypertension of the 2nd degree, the effect on the vessels and the heart begins. There is hypertrophy of the left ventricle, stenosis of the arteries of the retina, the work of the kidneys is disturbed. The danger of hypertension of the 2nd degree is to increase the likelihood of hypertensive crises - dangerous conditions provoked by a sharp rise in blood pressure. Signs of a crisis include:

• groundless fear and anxiety;
• chills;
• redness of the skin and swelling of the face;
• profuse sweating;
• noise in ears;
• darkening in the eyes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• tachycardia.

A hypertensive crisis can provoke a myocardial infarction or stroke, so a person whose blood pressure has risen rapidly needs emergency medical help.

Severe hypertension is fraught with irreversible changes in the internal organs. For example, with kidney damage, intoxication can occur, as the excretory system ceases to cope with the removal of toxins from the body. Also, at extremely high pressure, heart failure develops, and the likelihood of cerebral thrombosis increases. Signs of high blood pressure in severe hypertension:

• blurred vision;
• frequent heart attacks;
• memory problems;
• restless sleep;
• decrease in work capacity.

Diagnostics

Hypertension requires treatment already at the initial stage of development. The patient should be diagnosed, after which you can proceed to the choice of treatment. Examination of a person with suspected hypertension is the responsibility of a cardiologist. Only a doctor can determine why the pressure rises and how to deal with this problem. Diagnosis of hypertension has the following areas:

1. History taking: attention is paid not only to the patient's complaints, but also to factors that could provoke the disease.
2. Confirmation of stable high blood pressure: daily monitoring of the pressure level and fixing the obtained indicators over a certain period of time is necessary. Records must be shown to the doctor.
3. Determination of the degree of damage to internal organs.
4. Determination of the degree of hypertension.

An informative method for diagnosing hypertension is the daily measurement of blood pressure. The procedure can be carried out at home. To do this, it is enough to purchase a tonometer and use it in accordance with the instructions. When measuring blood pressure, it is important to follow simple rules:

1. The procedure is carried out in a relaxed atmosphere. The person must calm down and relax. It is advisable to measure the pressure on an empty stomach. Shortly before measuring blood pressure, do not use vasodilator drugs, including nasal (eye) drops: this can distort the result of the pressure test.
2. The arm on which the blood pressure monitor cuff will be attached should be at the same level as the heart. The cuff is placed 2.5 cm above the elbow.

In the conditions of a medical institution, the following diagnostic procedures are carried out:

• laboratory tests: general blood test, urinalysis (including according to the Nechiporenko method), blood test for cholesterol, biochemical blood test;
• electrocardiography and echocardiography;
• ophthalmoscopy;
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and brain vessels;
• computed tomography of the kidneys;
• aortography.

Only after establishing a diagnosis, the doctor will tell you what to do with high pressure.

Treatment

Treatment for hypertension is selected taking into account the age of the patient and his history. If the problem with vascular tone is minor, there is no need to prescribe medications. Now in medicine there is no remedy that would help to cure high blood pressure once and for all. Therefore, treatment for hypertension is aimed at stopping the development of the disease and minimizing its consequences, including crises, as well as preventing complications. Whatever the stage of development of hypertension, the patient should:

1. Get rid of excess weight that provokes an increase in pressure: a healthy diet will help achieve this goal. Eat small meals about 5 times a day. Preference is given to vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, nuts, cereals, lean meat and dairy products, sea fish. Attention should be paid to products - sources of potassium and magnesium. These are dried fruits, peaches, apricots, beets, carrots, seafood. If you have hypertension, you should limit your intake of salt, sugar, and foods high in cholesterol. If high blood pressure has arisen on the background of diabetes, you need to follow a diet number 9. With hypertension, you can not starve. Daily exercise will help control body weight.
2. Get rid of bad habits. For example, smoking causes vasospasm, which increases blood pressure.
3. Establish a drinking regimen: you need to drink 1.5 liters of water per day. Coffee, strong tea and sweet water with gas should be excluded from the diet.

In the initial stage of hypertension, you can limit yourself to following the listed recommendations regarding treatment, however, in moderate and severe stages, treatment will include medication. The patient is assigned:

1. Diuretics: Furosemide, Veroshpiron. These drugs effectively treat high blood pressure only in combination with other medicines. Diuretics reduce the swelling of blood vessels, thereby expanding their lumen.
2. Drugs to reduce pressure: Hydrochlorothiazide, Acripamide, Indapamide.
3. Beta-blockers: Carvedilol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Betaxolol. They help not only treat high blood pressure, but also prevent complications of hypertension, for example, heart failure.
4. Sartans: Losartan, Eprosartan. After taking these drugs, the pressure normalizes on average for a day.
5. ACE inhibitors: Captopril, Berlipril. These drugs provide prevention of myocardial hypertrophy, as well as normalize high blood pressure.
6. Calcium channel blockers: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil. These medications are most often prescribed to patients over 65 years of age, in whom hypertension is complicated by atherosclerosis and heart failure.
7. Sedatives: Novopassit, valerian tincture, Persen. These drugs are prescribed for people who have high blood pressure during stress.
8. Vitamins and minerals: Magne B6, antioxidants. Such treatment helps those who have hypertension due to magnesium deficiency. Antioxidants help strengthen and rejuvenate blood vessels.

The drugs are taken according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. It is impossible to prescribe treatment and change drugs on your own! If medication has caused side effects (nausea, vomiting, arrhythmia, cough), this should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Treatment with folk remedies will help to enhance the effectiveness of therapy with high blood pressure, however, it is recommended that they be taken in consultation with the doctor. Contribute to the normalization of pressure such means:

1. 4 tablespoons of crushed plantain leaves pour a glass of vodka. Let it brew in a dark place for 14 days. Strain the tincture and take 30 drops 3 times a day. The medicine will help normalize high blood pressure and eliminate its symptoms.
2. A quarter of a lemon is finely rubbed on a grater and mixed with a tablespoon of cranberries, and crushed rose hips (a tablespoon) are also introduced. All mix and add half a glass of honey. The medicine is taken twice a day for a tablespoon.
3. Before eating, take a tablespoon of flax seeds with water.

You can bring down high blood pressure at home with the help of massage of acupuncture points. One of them is located between the eyebrows. It is enough to massage this area for several minutes, after which the pressure will decrease. For those people whose blood pressure often rises, it is recommended to have apple cider vinegar at home. Thanks to this tool, you can quickly weaken the vascular tone. If symptoms of hypertension appear, moisten 2 towels with apple cider vinegar and apply them to the feet for 10 minutes.

People with hypertension should be regularly observed by a cardiologist and follow all his recommendations.

The main signs of ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is called impaired cerebral circulation to pronounced dystrophic and necrotic changes in tissues due to narrowing of the supplying artery. Compared to hemorrhagic stroke (hemorrhage), this form is considered more favorable for recovery. The disease rarely develops suddenly.

It has been established that cerebral ischemia occurs in 85% of people in the age category over 50 years old, suffering from any diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, neurologists treat the disease as a complication or an integral part of a general vascular lesion in atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease.

What determines the severity of the patient's condition?

The clinical course and severity of manifestations depends on:

• type of ischemic stroke;
• the duration of the period of reduced blood circulation;
• areas of damage (the larger the vessel, the larger the area it feeds);
• the development of collateral (auxiliary) arteries, replacing the deficit in supplying tissues;
• general protective reaction (immunity), which allows the body to cope with the state of ischemia.

Varieties of ischemic stroke

Distinguish ischemic stroke:

• thrombotic - observed at a young age in patients with heart defects, endocarditis, vasculitis, prone to repetition;
• non-thrombotic - occurs as a result of a prolonged spasm or slow blood flow, atherosclerotic vascular damage.

Features of manifestations

Signs of ischemic stroke of the thrombotic form develop gradually, more often at night during sleep or in the morning after the precursors. Characteristic:

• incomplete short loss of consciousness;
• pallor of the face;
• no rise in temperature;
• slow breathing.

Clinic of thromboembolism:

• symptoms occur suddenly during the day, often associated with unrest, physical stress;
• the person loses consciousness and falls;
• convulsions occur in the limbs on the side opposite to the affected hemisphere of the brain;
• the disorder of consciousness is short-lived;
• possible vomiting.

For non-thrombotic ischemia:

• precursors appear first (high blood pressure, angina attacks);
• sudden loss of consciousness occurs;
• the patient may be in an inhibited (soporous) state;
• pale face;
• body temperature is increased;
• possible urinary incontinence;
• seizures are rare.

What symptoms does the doctor detect during the examination?

Diagnosis of ischemic stroke is based on a careful examination of the patient by a doctor, knowledge of neurological symptoms.

For thrombotic stroke:

• breathing rare (less than 16 per minute);
• weak pulse;
• heart sounds are muffled;
• blood pressure is normal or low;
• pupil size is not changed;
• muscle tone is reduced on one side in the arm or leg (monoplegia) or in both the arm and leg (hemiplegia), the manifestations are unstable;
• no meningeal symptoms.

If the stroke is non-thrombotic:

• the patient is in a soporous state;
• there is an arrhythmia of the pulse and heart contractions;
• slightly increased muscle tone on one side.

The examination reveals:

• uneven narrowing of the vessels of the retina during ophthalmoscopy;
• in the blood test, an increase in prothrombin;
• no changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, its pressure may be slightly elevated.

A neurologist in diagnosis uses the definition of symptoms that indicate damage to various nuclei of the brain. Ischemic stroke is characterized by "pseudobulbar" manifestations of impaired speech, swallowing, and facial expressions. The specialist is able to distinguish them from the true defeat of the brain centers.

Change in symptoms depending on the types of ischemia

In the diagnosis of the disease, it is necessary to take into account the types of pathology:

• Sudden, acute - immediately begins with neurological manifestations, cardiac arrhythmias.
• Flickering (undulating) - all the symptoms appear and disappear, but increase in a few hours.
• Tumor-like - characteristic of the defeat of the main arteries of the brain, the clinic grows gradually, it takes a long time.

Clinical forms

According to the leading clinical symptoms, the following forms of ischemic stroke are distinguished:

• atherothrombotic infarction - occurs acutely, symptoms intensify in a few hours, possibly undulating, accompanied by ischemia of the vessels of the heart and lower extremities, general cerebral symptoms are mild;
• cardioembolic form - symptoms appear suddenly in the form of monoparesis of the arm or leg, tongue, face, impaired speech, epileptiform seizures continue for several months after a stroke;
• lacunar - occurs against the background of high blood pressure, accompanied by slight weakness and numbness in the arm or leg, impaired speech is possible;
• hemodynamic - provoked by any conditions with a decrease in blood pressure, severe manifestations, depending on the location of the focus (blindness, memory loss, paralysis).

Distinctive signs of cerebral hemorrhage from ischemia

In the ischemic zone during the first week, additional foci of hemorrhage may occur. This is regarded as an unfavorable course. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply, leading to increasing cerebral edema.

In connection with the different treatment of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, there is a need for differential diagnosis of clinical manifestations.

Hemorrhage is characterized by:

• previous cerebral crises;
• violent, sudden onset;
• if there are precursors, they appear in the form of headaches, flushes to the face, color perception disorders (the type of objects painted red);
• coma (up to several days);
• redness of the face;
• temperature increase from the second day;
• bubbling noisy breathing;
• high blood pressure;
• change in the diameter of the pupil on the side of the lesion;
• tense pulse;
• cramps in the limbs, epileptiform seizures;
• urinary retention or incontinence;
• the rapid development of unilateral paralysis with a decrease in muscle tone.

The ophthalmologist will see in the fundus: tortuosity of blood vessels, retinal hemorrhage, swelling and hyperemia.

In the cerebrospinal fluid - increased pressure, blood.

In the general analysis of blood - leukocytosis, there is no increase in prothrombin.

Subsequent development of ischemia

Disability of a patient with an ischemic stroke occurs in 30% of cases. Typical consequences:

• impaired memory;
• increased fatigue;
• depression.

With a small lesion, over time, all neurological symptoms disappear. There may be residual effects in the form of numbness, limited function of the arm or leg. Psychiatrists drew attention to the susceptibility of such patients to hallucinations, anxiety, delusional thoughts.

The sooner treatment for ischemic stroke is started, the more likely a full recovery is. Particular attention should be paid to the precursors of pathology. They give a "signal" about the dysfunction of cerebral circulation.

One of the most common cardiac diseases is angina pectoris, which affects hundreds of thousands of people around the world. This pathology is by no means harmless, as it indicates a number of disorders in the work of the heart, often develops with coronary artery disease, causing a heart attack. Men suffer from angina pectoris more often than women, and their manifestations of angina pectoris are specific, and the likelihood of disease progression is increased even at a young age. What are the signs of angina pectoris in men? And what to do if you are diagnosed with such a diagnosis?

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Why is angina more common in men?

The reasons for the development of pathology are the lack of blood supply to the heart, that is, the arteries cannot deliver oxygen to the myocardium in the required amount. This is due to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. This violation most often occurs under the influence of several factors:

• Overweight - men who are prone to obesity, lead a sedentary lifestyle and often overeat, usually suffer from a variety of cardiac diseases, including angina pectoris;
• Increased physical activity - handymen, movers, builders - exclusively male professions that require endurance and strength, lead to the development of pathology;
• Emotional experiences and stress - usually cause angina in men employed in business, top management. In general, in industries where the load on the brain is high, and there is no time for rest;
• Improper nutrition - snacking, lack of vitamins in the diet, fatty, fried, smoked food;
• The presence of chronic diseases - for example, high blood pressure with angina pectoris in men - is very common. Diabetes mellitus, anemia, thyroid pathology are also observed;
• Intoxication of the body due to alcohol abuse, nicotine addiction. Since men more often than women lead the wrong way of life, they develop a disease.

Curiously, young men under the age of 45 are twice as likely to develop angina than women. With the onset of menopause, the statistics change - the number of sick women becomes higher.

Can affect the development of pathology and hereditary factors, exposure to cold, untimely access to a doctor with concomitant pathologies. Angina pectoris occurs in men who are professionally involved in sports, or, on the contrary, exercise from time to time, giving the body unusual stress.

Typical manifestations of the disease

Symptoms of angina pectoris in men practically do not differ from those that concern women suffering from a similar disease. Doctors recommend carefully monitoring your condition in order to notice changes in time and take the necessary measures. The first signs of the disease are:

• Pain sensations arise unexpectedly, without any reason, or during physical, emotional stress, do not disappear after taking medications;
• You can track the trend that pain appears at certain times of the day, for example, during rest or when playing sports, strenuous work;
• The nature of the pain is difficult to describe - some patients report pressing sensations, others - bursting and burning;
• Symptoms of heartburn are felt - an unpleasant heaviness in the region of the heart, as if you had swallowed a stone;
• There is general weakness, pallor, cold sweat appears, pressure may increase, the heart rhythm changes, becoming uneven.

Complicates the diagnosis and the fact that the manifestations of angina pectoris are similar to other pathologies of the coronary and other nature. The patient may confuse them with overwork or attribute them to excessive physical activity. However, this behavior is erroneous: even if you exercise excessively, pain behind the sternum is a clear sign that you need to visit a cardiologist, failures are observed in your body.

Symptoms of angina pectoris in males

Of course, the manifestation of pathology in men is somewhat different from the symptoms noted by women. The reason lies not in the fact that the male heart hurts differently or the signs do not appear so brightly. It's just that men do not attach importance to pain in the early stages, ignoring them. An appeal to a doctor occurs already when angina pectoris passes into a pre-infarction state.

Among men, pathology is much more likely to lead to death, which is caused by an untimely visit to a cardiologist.

In the early stages, men describe mild pain that is localized behind the sternum, can be given to the jaw, arm or neck. Sometimes there are no painful sensations at all, and the attack is characterized by a rapid heartbeat, pallor, and an increase in blood pressure.

Most often, the pain disappears suddenly, if the factor provoking them is eliminated. So, it is enough to stop playing sports so that the attack is completed. But dyspeptic manifestations, such as nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the intestinal area, are extremely rare in men.

The progression of angina affects the male sexual function, which even in young people can be reduced. The disease affects people over the age of 30, although the older generation complains of cardiac disorders much more often.

What is the treatment for men?

When examinations are carried out, and the diagnosis revealed the presence of a dangerous pathology, treatment of angina pectoris in men is prescribed. Of course, it will not be possible to completely get rid of this disease; a special regimen and medication must be continued constantly. Nitroglycerin should always be on hand - a drug that should be drunk during attacks.

In general, the treatment of pathology in men is no different from the treatment of angina pectoris in women. Doctors prescribe medication for ischemia, atherosclerosis, to lower blood pressure and get rid of concomitant diseases.

Among the necessary measures that the patient must adhere to, there are:

• Special diets aimed at reducing excess weight. From the diet will have to remove foods rich in animal fats, reduce the intake of salt and cholesterol. Eat more fruits and ingredients rich in magnesium and potassium, they help improve heart function, thin the blood;
• Moderate physical activity will be extremely beneficial, so exercise is still necessary. If you have led a sedentary lifestyle, start by walking in the morning;
• A job change is indicated if you are engaged in professions that require exhausting labor - you can quit your previous job for medical reasons;
• Use traditional medicine after consulting a doctor. So, many patients prepare decoctions with wild rose and hawthorn, eat a mixture with garlic, lemon and honey;
• Give up bad habits - smoking is prohibited, and you can drink alcohol only in small doses;
• Take enough time to rest and sleep.

If you suffer from hypertension, get a blood pressure monitor and monitor your blood pressure regularly to prevent the onset of angina attacks.

It is up to the doctor to determine what treatment is needed. Perhaps, if you applied already at the stage of progression of the pathology, and the clinical picture is unfavorable, surgical intervention may be prescribed. Although more often they use the conservative method with medication.

Prognosis of the course of the disease in men

Angina pectoris in the stronger sex in about 50-60% of cases ends with myocardial infarction. But this is by no means due to the severity of the course of the disease, it’s just that men ignore dangerous symptoms for more time. What will be the forecast?

• If you visit a doctor on time, undergo a diagnosis, follow all the prescriptions, the treatment will benefit, and new attacks will bother you only with intense stress;
• If you turn to a cardiologist too late, an ambulance will bring you, there is a possibility of developing negative consequences. So, clinical death will not pass without a trace for the body, even if resuscitation actions are competent and fast.

The diagnosis of "angina pectoris" in men should not cause a feeling of fear. Living with this pathology is quite realistic, although you still have to change your old habits. Do not forget about regular examinations by a doctor, and then cardiac diseases will be easily treatable.

Although the symptoms of male angina pectoris are similar to signs of pathology in women, it can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis, because men rarely note their condition during attacks, they cannot describe it in detail. The task of physicians is to prescribe an examination and the necessary measures of therapy so that the patient is healthy again, and the attacks do not affect his standard of living.

Periodically recurring painful sensations, a feeling of discomfort behind the sternum can signal the occurrence of angina pectoris (the common name is angina pectoris).

There are two types of the disease: exertional angina and rest angina. The first occurs with excessive physical or emotional stress and quickly passes, the second - at rest, sometimes even in a dream. It has long been thought that angina pectoris is a disease of the elderly.

In recent years, such a diagnosis is increasingly being made to people under the age of 30. In most developed countries, up to 40,000 patients with angina pectoris are registered annually.

In men of different ages, with the advent of attacks of the disease, working capacity is significantly reduced, fatigue appears even without physical exertion, and sexual function decreases. The likelihood of developing pathology in women increases with the onset of menopause.

Causes of the disease

The main cause of the disease is insufficient blood supply to the heart, due to a mismatch between the needs of the myocardium for oxygen and its delivery through the coronary artery.

Among the factors that can provoke angina attacks in men, the following are primarily distinguished:

Angina pectoris is a clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis of the coronary artery. Sometimes a patient has several factors in the development of the disease, which significantly increases the risk of a fatal outcome of the disease.

Manifestations and diagnosis of the disease

Angina pectoris is a serious and insidious disease. Lack of preventive measures and quality treatment can lead to heart failure and myocardial infarction.

Therefore, it is important to detect it in time and start treatment. Only in this case can severe cardiovascular pathologies be avoided.

The scientific literature mainly presents the symptoms obtained during the examination and treatment of men. In the initial stages, men indicate periodic pain in the region of the heart. The main danger lies in the fact that they do not attach importance to this for a long time, and precious time may be lost.

Therefore, if the representatives of the stronger sex have chest pain when doing work or during sports, you should immediately go to the doctor. Diagnosing women with pain in the heart is more difficult due to differences in clinical manifestations.

Men and women perceive and describe symptoms differently. At the age of 40 years, cases of the disease among women are two times less, but after the onset of menopause, the disease is detected more often than in men.

Angina pectoris is the first symptom of coronary artery disease in women, while in men it is a harbinger of myocardial infarction. The number of deaths from diseases associated with angina at any age in men is higher than in women.

Typical signs of angina in men during an attack:

An attack of angina pectoris can be stopped by taking nitroglycerin. A prolonged attack sometimes develops into a myocardial infarction.

When examining a patient, symptoms are assessed according to the patient, body mass index, waist circumference, pulse parameters, blood pressure on both arms. To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental methods are additionally used:

Treatment and prevention of the disease

Angina pectoris is one of the diseases that cannot be completely cured. The risk of myocardial infarction and death is constantly high.

A system of preventive measures and timely treatment under medical supervision will help control the course of the disease, reduce the frequency of symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and increase working capacity.

The first aid for an attack is nitroglycerin. Suffering from an ailment, you must always have it with you in order to stop the attack in time.

In a medical institution, drug treatment includes taking anti-ischemic, anti-sclerotic drugs, long-acting nitrates, etc. Sometimes surgical intervention is indicated.

Preventive measures include:

Timely access to a doctor and following the recommendations can achieve a state of long-term remission.

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