How can angina pectoris be prevented?

Question

Hi doctor,

My father is 59 years old and weighs 143 pounds. He has diabetes and high blood pressure. Sometimes, he experiences chest pain, which improves after taking an Nitroglycerin tablet. Last night, he had heart pain, so we went to the hospital immediately. They gave him two tablets, and after a couple of hours, he felt better, so we returned home.

Please recommend any medications or home remedies to help manage these issues.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on his history, it appears that your father may have angina pectoris. Angina pectoris is not a heart attack; rather, it is chest pain that occurs during exertion, such as walking briskly, climbing stairs, or experiencing emotional stress, and is usually relieved by rest or by taking a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. If this pain occurs more frequently, with less exertion, or even at rest, it could be a cause for concern.

I am not aware of the specific tests done for your father, such as an ECG (electrocardiogram), echocardiography, stress ECG, or angiography, or the medications he takes for blood pressure and diabetes. Please provide a detailed history of these tests and medications. If you can send me his reports, I can guide you further.

If your father experiences chest pain at rest or despite taking maximum medications, I recommend he consider coronary angiography and possibly angioplasty. Additionally, he should reduce his salt intake to less than one teaspoon per day, avoid fatty foods, junk foods, and red meat, and quit smoking if he has that habit.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.