Angina risk increases in heart attack patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD)

The risk of angina increases in heart attack patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The researchers analyzed data from 5,539 patients from 31 hospitals and found that patients without obstructive CAD were equally likely to develop angina as those with obstructive CAD after one year post-heart attack. Lead author Dr. Anna Grodzinsky commented, “Our findings highlight the importance of aggressive medical therapy and follow-up in patients with MI and no obstructive CAD, in order to potentially reduce their burden of angina, improve the quality of life, and prevent re-hospitalizations.”

“Non-invasive strategies to reduce angina burden could have a significant impact of their health and quality of life. Angina is a potentially modifiable condition and, therefore, patient symptoms could be improved, as well as healthcare costs,” added Dr. Grodzinsky.

How can angina be prevented?

Known to increase a person’s risk for stroke and heart attack, angina is a severe chest pain caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and habits can prevent this condition.

Prevention tips for angina include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Cutting down on saturated fats
• Reducing salt
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Lowering blood pressure
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels

Heart-healthy habits can help prevent angina and the complications associated with it.