Angina - a kind of angina attacks that begins as a result of physical activity or, more rarely, emotional stress. At the same time patients have pain or discomfort in the chest, associated with the violation of blood flow to the heart.

The most common form of the disorder - stable angina; its symptoms, in contrast to the symptoms of unstable angina Unstable angina - alarm organism Predictably appear during or after certain actions of the patient. There are, and this form of the disease is progressing angina - bouts of the disease over time, become more frequent and severe.

Causes

The heart muscle is working all the time, so it needs a continuous supply of oxygen, coming together with the blood. Its supply near the coronary artery. The more intense the heart works, the more oxygen it needs. Symptoms of angina start to appear when the coronary arteries are narrowed by atherosclerosis in or when they block blood clots.

Factors that increase the likelihood of angina include:

• Diabetes;
• High blood pressure;
• Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood;
• Smoking.

To provoke an attack of angina can all lead to increased demand of the heart muscle of oxygen, for example, strong physical exertion, emotional stress, cold weather, overeating.

Possible causes include angina and cardiac arrhythmia, anemia, spasms of the coronary arteries, heart failure, hyperthyroidism and dysfunction of the heart valves.

Classification of angina

In the classification of stable angina functional class uses the concept - it indicates the level of physical activity, which typically begins the attack of the disease.

• 1 functional class is the easiest - the patients tolerate their usual load of good, but very intense stress can happen angina.
• 2 functional class includes a condition in which seizures can start at moderate loads, such as when climbing on two or more flights of stairs. Many patients with angina, which refers to this class can not pass without stopping for more than half a kilometer, and very poorly tolerate frost.
• 3 functional class. Angina attacks of this class start after loads that most healthy people seem quite small, for example, after climbing a flight of stairs or after walking non-stop over distances not exceeding a few hundred meters.
• 4 functional class. This category includes forms of angina pectoris, which have the most significant impact on the quality of human life. Patients with angina may feel a pain in my heart Pain in the heart - always consult a doctor After having walked a hundred meters, holding up relatively easy subject, and even while at rest.

If stable angina symptoms of the disease rather predictable and equally intense for a long time (hence the name), then the progressive angina Progressive angina - what dangers lie in wait for a man   stress attacks can suddenly become more frequent, prolonged and intense.

The symptoms of angina

The majority of patients with angina pectoris symptoms its predictable, i.e., angina cause the same - the duration and / or intensity - exercise. The symptoms of stable angina Stable angina - one of the manifestations of coronary heart disease   Voltage should become less severe or disappear as soon as the patient begins to move less intensively, or even stop training. When progressive angina pain can persist even when the person is at rest.

The main symptom of angina - pain in the center of the chest, localized behind the breastbone or slightly to the left of it. The pain is usually dull, and reminds a lot of pressure in the heart. Some patients say that it resembles the pain arising from the strong gas formation and indigestion.

Pain can be given hand (usually the left) back, jaw, neck and shoulder (usually also to the left). In typical cases, pain persists for 1-15 minutes, with rest or nitroglycerin.

Other symptoms of angina:

• Lethargy;
• Lightheadedness or dizziness;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Sweating;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Shortness of breath;
• Excessive fatigue after usual loads (most commonly seen in women).

When you need to seek medical help?

Be sure to consult a doctor if:

• The attack of angina have happened for the first time;
• Angina attacks have become more frequent and / or intense;
• You have started the attack when you are at rest;
• You became very tired, but your work and rest has not changed;
• During an attack of angina pectoris have been dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting;
• You have decreased or increased heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute or more than 120 beats per minute);
• You have an irregular heartbeat - sometimes for no apparent reason the heart is beating very often and sometimes heart rate drops sharply;
• Have you got any other unusual symptoms.

In the following cases, you must seek immediate medical help:

• Chest pain persists after taking nitroglycerin;
• Pain during an attack of angina increases sharply;
• The pain is gone after taking nitroglycerin, but after a few minutes or hours will appear again.

Atenolol - a drug from the group of beta-blockers. It is used to treat angina Treatment of angina - a versatile approach   and hypertension, and to prevent heart attacks. Typically, atenolol is only part of a program for the treatment of hypertension. Typically, it includes: changes in diet, sports, stress reduction How to beat stress? Create an oasis . Atenolol To work effectively, it is necessary to carry out a treatment program as a whole.

Atenolol can disrupt cognitive abilities and adversely affect the rate of the reaction - must take into account that if you drive or perform work that requires you to increased concentration.

Do not stop taking atenolol without first consulting your doctor. Otherwise, your condition may get worse.

If at the time of taking the medicine you have to surgery, make sure that the surgeon know that you are taking atenolol. Sometimes, just before the operation is necessary to stop the medication.

Avoid alcohol during treatment, because it can enhance certain side effects of atenolol.

Contraindications

Atenolol is contraindicated in the following conditions:

• Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
• Diabetes;
• Low blood pressure;
• Heart problems, such as blockage of the heart and congestive heart failure;
• Depression;
• Liver or kidney disease;
• Disorders of the thyroid gland;
• Myasthenia gravis;
• Pheochromocytoma;
• Disorders of blood circulation.

In addition, atenolol is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Side effects

Atenolol can cause various side effects as virtually harmless, and very serious.

When the following side-effects you should immediately contact your doctor immediately:

• Slow and / or uneven heartbeat;
• Dizziness, fainting;
• Shortness of breath after even slight physical exertion;
• Swelling of the feet;
• Nausea, stomach pain, low body temperature, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice;
• Depression;
• Constantly cold hands and feet.
• Less serious side effects of the drug:
• The weakening of libido, impotence Impotence - a female perspective on the problem Or the inability to have an orgasm;
• Sleep disorders;
• Extreme fatigue;
• Increased anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? , Nervousness.

Drug Interactions

The following drugs can change the action of atenolol and their simultaneous reception can be recommended:

• Allergy medications;
• Amiodarone;
• Clonidine (Catapres);
• Digoxin (Lanoxin);
• Disopyramide;
• Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) such as isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, and selegiline;
• Antidiabetic drugs - insulin, glibenclamide, glipizide, chlorpropamide, or metformin;
• Medications used for heart disease, such as nifedipine, reserpine, verapamil;
• Preparations against asthma - albuterol, bitolterol, pirbuterol, terbutaline and theophylline.