Recognizing Angina Symptoms

If you notice any of these symptoms, which could indicate angina, it's important to contact your healthcare provider:

• Chest pain, pressure, or a feeling similar to indigestion following physical activity, that may or may not ease with rest
• Discomfort in the shoulder or arm, on the left, right, or both sides during physical or mentally taxing activities
• Jaw discomfort unrelated to other causes, like a toothache
• Shortness of breath after physical activity or uphill walking
• Fainting episodes
• Palpitations or dizziness
• Pain in the upper part of your abdomen
• Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or sudden sweating

If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 or have someone take you to the hospital emergency department immediately. Time is critical, as delayed medical attention leads to thousands of deaths annually.

Err on the side of caution and go to the hospital, as it can mean the difference between life and death.

Key symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Continuous or prolonged chest pain, chest pressure, or sensations resembling heartburn
• Persistent shoulder or arm pain (left or right) or ongoing upper abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath, even with minimal exertion or at rest
• Episodes of loss of consciousness
• Excessive sweating, with or without nausea or vomiting
• Frequent chest pain or discomfort, even while at rest

Self-Care at Home

If you have coronary heart disease, following your healthcare provider's advice is crucial for managing your condition and preventing worsening. If you notice any changes, additional diagnosis or treatment may be needed.

The most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease are within your control, not just your healthcare provider's. Lifestyle changes have played a significant role in reducing heart disease mortality over the past few decades, surpassing treatment advancements.

Everyone should take the following steps to minimize the risk of heart disease:

Eat a heart-healthy diet: This is the most crucial step in risk reduction. Limit your daily fat intake, ensuring calories from fat are less than 30% of your total daily calorie consumption, which is under 60 grams of fat for adults.

Maintain your blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol, within the recommended range to prevent plaque buildup in your coronary arteries.

Regular physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease. Exercise strengthens the heart, improves efficiency, reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, and raises HDL cholesterol. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting an exercise regimen. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 times per week.

Quit smoking; quitting provides significant benefits. After three years without smoking, your heart disease risk returns to that of a nonsmoker. Your healthcare provider can assist with behavioral guidance and, for some, appropriate medications.

Manage high blood pressure and diabetes. For diabetes, it's crucial to maintain daily blood sugar control. The HbA1c level, measuring blood sugar control, should be below 7.0.

Consider low-dose aspirin daily to lower the risk of heart attack. Consult your healthcare provider before taking aspirin daily due to the risk of bleeding.

No human clinical trial has proven the cardiac benefits of vitamins.

It's important to note that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was used for years to protect against coronary heart disease and heart attacks in menopausal women.

HRT was believed to offer the heart-protective benefits naturally occurring in women before menopause.

However, a study ending in 2002 found that women using HRT actually had higher rates of heart disease and stroke than non-users.

HRT is no longer recommended for heart disease prevention.

Follow a heart-healthy diet endorsed by the American Heart Association:

Start your day with whole-grain bread or cereal and fruit.

For lunch and dinner, focus on whole grains and vegetables as the main course, supplementing meat-based meals with salads or vegetables. Leafy salads, pasta salads, chickpeas, beans, and soy products can help lower LDL cholesterol.

Choose a fruit plate or low-fat yogurt for dessert while minimizing sugar and sweet consumption.

Cook with olive oil or canola oil, rich in monounsaturated fats, known to reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Incorporate fish or seafood into your diet once or twice weekly.

Consume nuts high in monounsaturated fats, like hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, and macadamia nuts, in moderation due to their fat content.

Use garlic in your cooking, as it may have a slight cholesterol-lowering effect.

Alcohol consumption is permissible in moderation. Men should not exceed two drinks per day, and women should limit their intake to one drink daily, as this can increase HDL cholesterol.

However, alcohol is not recommended for individuals with liver or kidney disorders, certain medical conditions, a history of alcohol misuse, or use of specific medications. If you don't currently consume alcohol, most medical professionals advise against starting solely for potential heart benefits.

For questions about the positive and negative health effects of alcohol, consult your healthcare provider.