T.J. Samson | Destination Health | April 2019

CLINIC HOURS: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. LOCATION 440 E. Happy Valley Street Cave City, KY 270.773.2111 4 DESTINATION HEALTH I s your heart sending you an SOS? If you’ve been feeling pain in your chest, it might be. Pain in your chest—and also in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back—can be angina, a symptom of heart disease. In most cases, angina is your heart’s way of telling you that one or more of your coronary arteries, the blood ves- sels that feed your heart, are blocked. When your heart isn’t getting enough blood, it also isn’t getting enough oxygen.That makes your heart work harder, and that causes pain. There are multiple types of angina, some of which are more serious than others. But anytime you have chest pain, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANGINA There are four main types of angina: ●  ● Stable angina (angina pectoris). ●    Unstable angina. ●  ● Variant, or Prinzmetal’s, angina. ●    Microvascular angina. Stable angina doesn’t usually last long. It gener- ally occurs at predictable times—such as with exertion or mental stress—and disappears when you rest or take medicine. Unstable angina isn’t predictable. It might not go away when you rest or take medicine. Unstable angina is an emergency signal that you’re in danger of having a heart attack. Variant angina is rare. It’s caused by a spasm in a coronary artery. It usually is treated with medicine. Microvascular angina can last longer than other kinds of angina and may not be relieved by medi- cine. Women are more likely than men to have microvas- cular angina. Treatments for angina include lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, controlling stress and not smoking; taking medicines; participating in a cardiac rehab pro- gram; and undergoing a medical procedure to open blocked arteries. WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL FOR HELP? Anytime angina lasts more than a few minutes and isn’t relieved by medicine, it’s an emergency. Call 911 for help. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Anytime angina lasts longer than a few minutes and isn’t relieved by medicine, it’s an emergency. Angina: A signal from a heart in distress Wellness WALK-INS WELCOME