Factors that can worsen angina
Angina may worsen when another condition: - Forces your heart to work harder, which
increases the amount of oxygen it needs.
- Decreases the amount of
oxygen the heart receives.
In either case, there is an imbalance between the amount of oxygen
that your heart needs and the amount that it receives through the blood supply
from your coronary arteries. If your heart can't get enough oxygen, your
symptoms of stable angina may worsen. Conditions that may worsen angina symptoms include: - Atrial fibrillation. When
atrial fibrillation worsens angina, you must slow your
heart rate down as quickly as possible. Medications such as digoxin,
beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers are often effective at controlling
your heart rate. You may also need other medications, called
antiarrhythmics, which can stop the irregular beat and
bring back your normal, regular heartbeat. If you have prolonged or severe
symptoms of angina or if you develop
heart failure or low blood pressure, it may be
necessary to stop your atrial fibrillation more quickly with an electric
cardioversion to your chest.
- Fever and infection. If you develop an infection, it
typically causes your heart to beat faster and harder, and may worsen angina.
When an infection (such as a
urinary tract infection,
bronchitis,
pneumonia, or
influenza) worsens angina, you need to identify the
source of the infection and treat it with antibiotics if necessary. You also
need to reduce your temperature with ASA (Aspirin), acetaminophen, or another
fever-lowering medication to reduce the stress on your heart. Talk to your
doctor about the benefits of the pneumonia vaccine and a yearly flu
vaccination.
- Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism
speeds up many of your body's functions, including your heart rate, which can
worsen angina. Medications such as beta-blockers can reduce the effect of
thyroid hormone on your heart and lower your heart rate. Your doctor may also
recommend other medications that gradually decrease the amount of thyroid
hormone your thyroid is producing.
- Anemia. Anemia
decreases oxygen supply to the heart and can worsen angina. You should receive
oxygen therapy and possibly a blood transfusion to
increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. Medications that lower your heart
rate, such as beta-blockers, can help control angina attacks associated with
anemia.You can also take vitamins and iron supplements, according to your
doctor's instructions, to help your body manufacture more red blood cells. If
you have anemia, you may want to be tested to see if it is caused by a more
serious condition, such as a bleeding ulcer or cancer.
- Aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis
develops when the valve between the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the
heart and the major blood vessel called the aorta becomes narrowed (stenosis).
This leaves too small a space for the blood to flow to the body. Because aortic
stenosis causes a buildup of pressure inside your left ventricle, the heart
compensates by thickening. The thickened heart muscle requires a large amount
of oxygen to function properly. If a buildup of plaque has narrowed coronary
arteries, the heart begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, a condition called
ischemia. Angina can be more severe when both conditions are present.
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