Find Help for Angina Chest Pain in Las Vegas, NV

Angina, also called ischemic chest pain, is chest pain caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. It can feel like squeezing, pressure, or burning in your chest. Angina is a sign of heart disease and can signal risk of a heart attack.

If you’re worried about your heart health and risk of angina in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, our cardiology team at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican hospitals can help. Find a Doctor close to you today.

 

Angina Symptoms

The pain, squeezing, fullness, or pressure you feel in your chest from angina may spread to your jaw, neck, and shoulders. It can also feel like heartburn.

Angina during or after periods of physical activity or other stress on the body is called stable angina. It usually goes away when you rest. Angina that starts while you are at rest is called unstable angina.

 

What Causes Angina?

Coronary artery disease (also called CAD, coronary heart disease, or heart disease) is the most common cause of angina. It is the result of fatty buildup within the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries and makes it harder for fresh, oxygenated blood to reach your heart. Coronary artery disease puts a strain on the heart and increases your risk of heart attack and heart failure.

 

When to Seek Emergency Care for Ischemic Chest Pain

Unstable angina is a medical emergency. Call 911 if you experience unstable angina or chest pain with any of the following symptoms: 

  • Nausea
  • Cold sweats
  • Severe or sudden fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath or any trouble breathing 

These symptoms may warn of a heart attack. Prompt medical attention may save your life and help prevent or minimize long-term heart problems.

 

Diagnosing Angina Chest Pain at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Your doctor may use a variety of tests to diagnose angina:

  • Stress tests monitor your heart while you run or walk on a treadmill.
  • An EKG (electrocardiogram) records your heart rate and rhythm along with your heart’s electrical activity.
  • A coronary angiogram uses dye injections and X-rays to find artery blockages.
  • A chest X-ray or CT scan creates an image of your heart. Your doctor can also see your lungs in these images.
  • Blood tests look for substances in your bloodstream that are signs of heart disease or damage.

 

Angina Treatment in Las Vegas, NV

Doctors relieve angina pain by treating its cause, which is usually heart disease. Heart disease treatments include: 

  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), commonly known as heart bypass surgery, to reroute blood flow around a blocked artery
  • Coronary angioplasty to improve blood flow by widening the coronary arteries
  • Medicines to expand blood vessels, prevent blood clots, and lower blood pressure
  • Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, changing your diet, and getting regular exercise

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican hospitals treat heart and vascular conditions, such as angina, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.