Crescendo angina is a term used to describe unstable angina which is characterized by recurrent episodes of chest pain on minimal effort or during rest. It is also referred to as pre-infarction angina. It is an acute coronary artery disease which commonly affects men and women in the mid 50s. There are several factors responsible for the condition including obesity and smoking.
It is an initial presentation of ischemic heart condition. The condition is provoked more easily and the associated pain remains for longer duration compared to stable angina. The mortality rate in myocardial infarct associated with crescendo angina ranges between 12 to 15 %.
What Is Crescendo Angina?
Crescendo Angina is characterized by three distinct features which include,
- Chest pain which occurs for duration of about ten to fifteen minutes.
- The chest pain comes on when the person is resting or on minimal exertion.
- Recurrent angina pains increase in intensity usually over a period of four to six weeks and the frequency and duration of the angina increases over a period of time.
The condition is attributed to an imbalance in the supply and demand of oxygen by the muscles of the heart. Under normal conditions, the demand for oxygen increases in case of physical exertion.
Angina occurs because of an obstruction of the coronary arteries by emboli or thrombus or narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis.
Unstable Angina Causes And Symptoms
There are certain factors that are responsible to increase the risk of development of unstable or crescendo angina. These factors include faulty dietary practices, elevated levels of cholesterol in blood, obesity, elevated levels of blood pressure, lack of physical activity, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder and cigarette smoking.
Certain medications used for the management of endocrinal disorders like hypothyroidism is also known to result in crescendo angina.
The common symptoms associated with crescendo angina include,
- Sudden and severe chest pain which is associated with sensation of heaviness and constriction in the chest. Often the pain radiates down to the left arm. In some cases the pain may radiate to the back, jaws or the neck.
- Excessive sweating with nausea and vomiting may also be observed in some cases.
- Breathlessness is often associated with the chest pain.
Natural Treatment For Crescendo Angina
The aim of the treatment regimen is to improve the supply of blood to the muscles of the heart, in order to address to the imbalance between the supply and demand of oxygen. The treatment protocol may comprise of dietary and lifestyle changes which are aimed at managing atherosclerosis.
- Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoid processed foods. Restrict the intake of fatty and oily foods and limit salt intake. These dietary changes are important to control blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
- Mild to moderate exercises are beneficial. Exercise helps burn down extra fat and reduces the levels of cholesterol in the blood, which is primarily responsible for plaque formation.
- Increasing the intake of foods like soy and fish improves the levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood. HDL cholesterol is considered to be ‘good cholesterol’ which prevents plaque formation and controls atherosclerosis. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are considered beneficial.
Angioplasty or cardiac surgery may be required in cases of severe coronary artery blockage, which may be associated with an impending risk of myocardial infarction. The choice of surgical intervention would depend upon the patient’s health status and age.