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Angina Attack: Frequently Asked Questions

What is an angina attack?

Angina is a lack of blood and therefore oxygen to the heart muscle that does not cause damage. It may be a warning of a future heart attack.

What exactly is the difference between an angina attack and a heart attack?

In angina there is no death of the heart muscle tissue. It is reversible. There is enough blockage to cause pain, but not enough blockage to cause death of the muscle. Often angina, ie chest pain, is a warning signal for a possible heart attack.

How many sprays can I use when I am having an angina attack?

At the onset of an attack, spray one or two metered sprays onto or under the tongue (after priming — see package insert). No more than three metered sprays are recommended within a 15-minute period.

May I use Nitrolingual Pumpspray to help prevent an angina attack?

Nitrolingual Pumpspray may be used 5-10 minutes prior to engaging in activities which might provoke an acute attack. Be sure to always have a bottle on hand and in a convenient location, such as your car or the gym. Follow your Health Care Providers’ recommendations regarding activities and exercise. See the full prescribing information for Nitrolingual Pumpspray for further details and product warnings. ...

What is the difference between angina and a heart attack?

Angina, or chest pain, is the result of temporary and reversible blood loss to heart tissue (ischemia). A heart attack, however, is the result of permanent loss of blood flow to the tissue, causing tissue death (infarct). Generally, a heart attack occurs when plaque builds up and then ruptures in the coronary artery, creating a place where a blood clot can form (thrombus). Eventually, this blood clot totally blocks the coronary artery (whereas lesion only partially blocks the coronary artery). ...
Source: www.sjm.com
An episode of angina is not a heart attack. When blood flow to the heart is reduced, chest pain, or angina, can result. If blood flow is nearly or completely blocked, a heart attack can occur, killing muscle cells in the heart. Angina usually disappears with rest or medicine, such as nitroglycerin , while a heart attack requires much more intensive therapy in a hospital. If the pain is severe or doesn't go away, or if the symptoms are those of a heart attack, call 911 and get evaluated at a nearby hospital emergency room.
"Angina" is the pain that may be felt when there is a temporary imbalance between the heart muscle's demand for blood and the ability to deliver enough blood through the arteries. The pain may be very similar to that of a heart attack, but is often more severe and almost always lasts for a shorter period of time (usually 3-30 minutes). ...

How do you tell the difference between angina and a heart attack?

Some angina symptoms - such as chest pain, sweating, and nausea - may seem like a heart attack. Yet there are significant differences between these two conditions. Heart attack lasts much longer than angina (more than 20 minutes versus 1 to 10 minutes), and, unlike angina, heart attack symptoms continue even after a person rests. Heart attack is a very serious condition that results when a coronary artery in the heart is completely blocked. ...

What is the difference between angina, a heart attack and a cardiac arrest?

Angina Angina is a symptom. It is the pain/discomfort felt when not enough blood flows to the heart muscle to allow it to function effectively. It is caused through narrowing of the coronary arteries or atherosclerosis. In an angina attack, there is no damage to the heart muscle. Heart attack A heart attack is the result of a blockage in narrowed coronary arteries. This blockage stops the flow of blood to the heart muscle. There is damage to a portion of the heart muscle. ...

What is the relationship between angina and a heart attack?

Angina is different from a heart attack. Both relate to the blood flow through the coronary arteries (which bring blood to the heart muscle), but there is a key difference. With angina, the blood flow is reduced, especially when the heart must do more work. This imbalance between oxygen supply and demand is temporary leading to discomfort in the chest. With a heart attack, the blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly cut off when a coronary artery is blocked. ...

I'm worried about confusing the pain of an angina attack with the pain of a heart attack. What is the difference?

Angina pain does not always mean a heart attack is happening. Rather, the pain you feel indicates the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood to work efficiently. With a heart attack, blood supply to the heart is completely blocked, causing permanent and irreversible damage to the heart muscle. The pain is more severe, lasts longer, and is not relieved with short-acting nitroglycerin or rest. ...

Can you brief us about angina attack and how major it is?

Angina is the pain, which comes on exertion and goes away with rest and medication. One has to be investigated in detail to plan treatment.

I sometimes feel different sensations of pressure and pain. What is an angina attack supposed to feel like and how often do the attacks occur?

The strength, frequency, and duration of an angina attack can vary from person to person. Mild symptoms include feeling faint and/or nauseous or breaking out in a cold sweat. You may feel severe pain or chest pressure, or a vise-like, crushing, or squeezing sensation behind the breastbone (or sternum). Pain can also radiate to the jaw, teeth, shoulders or back. Attacks can happen anytime a trigger—such as physical exertion or a stressful situation—sets one off. ...
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