Differences between heart burn/ Angina?

snorlax

just wondering if anyone knows of the common signs and symptoms/ predisposing factors of either as im alittle worried at present about it.

i do anatomy and physiology in college, unfortunetly not pathology, so if anyone could help me out here thank you very much.

derek27

angina is commonly described as a sense of suffocation or suffocating pain... angina pectoris is a pain inthe centre ofthe chest which is induced by excercise and relieved by rest, and may also spread to the jaws and arms. angina pectoris occurs when the demand for blood by the heart exceeds the supply from the coronary arteries,and it usually results from coronary artery atheroma (degenerationin the walls of the arteries due to the formation in them of fatty plaques or scar tissue) it may be prevented or relieved by such drugs as propranolol or glyceryl trinitrate, but where such therapeutic drug treatments fail, coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass grafts may be required, the former being less invasive thanthe latter.

heartburn, or pyrosis is generally described as discomfort orpain, usually burning in character, that is felt behind the breastbone andoften appears to rise from the abdomen towards or into the throat. it may be accompanied by the appearance of acid or bitter fluid in the mouth and is usually caused by regurgitation of stomach contents intothe gullet, or by oesophagitis.

angina is really more prevalent among males over the age of 50 and is not a common occurrence among women before the menopause, but if you are concerned pop along to your GP for a checkup.

snorlax

thanks Derek. just wondering is there anything that would make you more prone to either?

derek27

some factors that are known to increase the liklihood of suffering from heartburn are obesity, eating unnecessiarly large meals, bending a lot, wearing tight clothes around the waist, pregnancy, all of which reult in increased pressure around the waist which can result in reflux of stomach contents up through the cardiac sphincter and into the lower oesophagus, which isn't protected from the acid environmet which is normal in the stomach, resulting in heartburn. cigarettes and some drugs can also lead to heart burn cos theycan cause the cardiac sphincter to relax somewhat also allowing reflux. angina is a problem that is intricately connected with coronary artery disease, usually after artherosclerosis has setin, and as such, predisposition to angina should be considered alongside predisposing factors of this disease, of which age and lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) are critical considerations.

Kernel

I think only girls have anginas anyway, boys have a penis.

snorlax

thanks again (and Kernel !)

derek27

Kernel wrote:

I think only girls have anginas anyway, boys have a penis.

lol

jazzbandit

chill mate, if ur reasoanbly young then its very unlikely u have angina. I see in ur profile ur a student, so ur probably in ur 20s unless ur a mature student. In which case the chances of u suffering from ischaeic heart disease (the most common cause of angina) are remote. Much more likrly to be anxiety or heartburn. Eat healthy and at sensible hours, and pop a book under the head if ur bed to prevent replux at night.And see if the pain responds to gaviscon or somethin like that, which ir probably will if its just heartburn.

simu

jazzbandit wrote:

And see if the pain responds to gaviscon or somethin like that, which ir probably will if its just heartburn.

The OP didn't say she was looking for medical advice, she just wanted more information about these conditions and in any case giving medical advice is not allowed here.