Self-care guide to identifying ischemic chest pain and heart disease

How to Identify Ischemic Chest Pain

Ischemic chest pain is a very dangerous clinical symptom, and if not treated promptly, it can be life-threatening. The most common cause is coronary heart disease, including angina and acute myocardial infarction. Middle-aged and older men; those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia (especially hypercholesterolemia), diabetes, smoking, obesity, and a family history of coronary heart disease are all prone to ischemic chest pain. The more of these risk factors one has, the more likely they are to develop the condition.

So, how do you identify ischemic chest pain?

Nature:Typical symptoms of ischemic chest pain include a feeling of tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, often accompanied by anxiety or fear. Atypical presentations may include burning discomfort or dull pain in the chest or upper abdomen.

Location:The pain is often located behind the sternum, slightly to the left or right, and the area of ​​pain is about the size of a palm. About half of the patients experience chest pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the left shoulder, left arm, and the inside of the fingers. Be alert to the possibility that the pain may sometimes occur in the upper abdomen accompanied by nausea and vomiting, resembling stomach pain.

Duration: The pain occurs in paroxysmal attacks, generally lasting 3-5 minutes each time, rarely exceeding 15 minutes. If it lasts longer than half an hour, be alert for acute myocardial infarction.

Triggering factors: The most common triggers are overexertion, exercise, emotional fluctuations (such as anger or euphoria), and overeating.

Time of occurrence: Pay attention to chest pain occurring around 6 AM.

Relief methods: Angina attacks are usually quickly relieved by rest, removing the triggering factor, or sublingual nitroglycerin. If the pain persists after 2-3 doses of sublingual nitroglycerin or multiple oral sprays, it may be acute myocardial infarction.

Self-care for heart disease patients (I)

Currently, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death worldwide and are receiving increasing attention. Good lifestyle habits and health care can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease. Below are some health tips for men to help you take better care of yourself:

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to prevent the harmful substances in tobacco and alcohol from damaging the cardiovascular system and reducing the burden on the heart.

Control your emotions, avoid excessive excitement or sadness, and release suppressed emotions. This can prevent excessive excitation of the sympathetic nervous system and abnormal hormone secretion, which can lead to high blood pressure, myocardial ischemia, and rapid heartbeat.

Good sleep can slow breathing and heart rate, protecting the heart. Arrange your life, work, and rest appropriately according to your condition. Ensure adequate mental rest and sufficient sleep; if necessary, take sleeping pills under the guidance of a doctor.

Patients with cardiovascular disease should not overwork, but appropriate physical activity is essential. Exercise should be moderate, within the limits of cardiac function, and the amount of exercise should be increased gradually. Pay attention to keeping warm during exercise.

Prevent colds by adding or removing clothing promptly and using preventative medications to avoid infection. Pay attention to weather changes, especially in winter. Cold stimulation causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing peripheral resistance, reducing myocardial oxygen supply, and increasing the burden on the myocardium, leading to a higher incidence of myocardial infarction and angina. Cardiovascular patients should take precautions against the cold to prevent adverse events.

Control sodium intake. Generally, limit sodium intake to less than 5 grams per day, and no more than 3 grams per day for those with severe conditions. Limiting sodium intake can reduce fluid retention and lessen the burden on the heart.

Self-care for heart disease patients (II)

Do not overeat at each meal; 80% full is best. This is because increased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract to aid digestion after eating relatively reduces blood supply to the heart, easily triggering angina.

Eat a light diet, reducing the intake of high-fat foods such as fried foods, animal organs, and egg yolks; it is recommended to eat more fish and meat, as well as a certain amount of fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods. Maintain regular bowel movements.

Learn to record daily intake and output. Maintaining a basic balance of fluid intake and output is beneficial for preventing or controlling heart failure. Output includes total daily urine output, stool output, and drainage volume, plus respiration and skin evaporation (approximately 600-800 ml). Input includes food, water, fruit, and intravenous fluids, with a total daily intake of 1500-2000 ml.

Weight should be measured daily. Rapid weight gain within 1-2 days should raise suspicion of water retention.

Right heart failure often presents with edema in the lower extremities or sacrococcygeal region. Care should be taken to protect the skin and avoid prolonged pressure on one area.

When using diuretics for extended periods, electrolyte levels should be monitored to prevent electrolyte imbalances. Intermittent potassium and chloride supplements may be taken to maintain electrolyte balance (potassium, sodium, chloride, etc.).

When taking digitalis medications (such as digoxin), strictly adhere to the doctor's instructions. Do not adjust the dosage independently. Regularly monitor digitalis concentration to prevent digitalis toxicity.

Patients experiencing acute heart failure should immediately assume a semi-sitting position with both legs dangling to reduce venous return. Maintain sedation as much as possible, administer oxygen, and diuretics may be used. The patient should avoid all activity, contact the hospital as soon as possible, and be transported to the hospital for treatment.