$Unique_ID{BRK02370}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Kind of Treatment Is Needed for Angina?}
$Subject{angina treatment hospital treatments pectoris heart coronary arteries
nitrates beta-blockers calcium channel blockers angioplasty catheter blocked
bypass arterial grafts surgery circulatory system artery hospitals block
blocker operation operations}
$Volume{G-4,R-4}
$Log{
The Heart's Blood Supply*0008901.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Kind of Treatment Is Needed for Angina?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  My question concerns angina.  I suffer with this pain, and have
been under treatment for about three years.  Many of my friends tell me that I
should consider surgery for the problem, but I must admit an intense fear of
any type of treatment that would require a hospital stay.  Do you think I am
just a foolish old man, or can you find any sense in my point of view?  I need
your answer to show my well meaning friends.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  There is nothing foolish about your position, which you have every
right to, and is certainly understandable.  Perhaps a bit of information about
possible treatments may help you, either in changing your mind or holding firm
to your opinion.
     The pain of angina pectoris is the result of the suffering of the heart
when it does not receive enough oxygen.  When the coronary arteries which
bring oxygen rich blood to the heart muscles are narrowed by disease, the
blood flow is reduced.  Therefore all the presently available types of therapy
attempt to increase that blood flow.  About 75 percent of all angina patients
can be helped sufficiently to control the pain with medicines alone.  Three
types of medications are commonly used:  nitrates, beta-blockers and calcium
channel blockers.  When one type of medication is insufficient, another type
can be chosen, and the dosages can also be adjusted.  However, surgery must be
considered when the full doses of medications can not reduce the pain to
acceptable levels.  There are two types of procedures used extensively to
correct the narrowed condition of the arteries.  One is called coronary
angioplasty, where a catheter with a balloon tip is used.  When the catheter
is inserted in the blocked artery and the tip reaches the area of the
narrowing, the balloon tip is inflated, opening the artery to allow more blood
to flow.  The other type of surgery, coronary artery bypass, uses arterial
grafts to lead the blood flow around the narrowed sections and increase blood
oxygen to the heart muscles.
     For as long as your medications are controlling your symptoms, you may
not need the surgery.  However, if the condition becomes worse, my advice is
to discuss the matter with your own physician, who can counsel you most
accurately.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.