Angina pectoris is a term denoting different types of chest pain caused by poor blood flow in the arteries surrounding the heart. Angina can be easily identified by characteristic tight and dull pain which is called an angina attack. The medical community generally differentiates between stable and unstable angina with the former being caused by a known trigger (such as exercise), and the latter being seemingly random and without obvious cause.
What’s more, so-called stable angina will usually disappear after resting, while unstable will remain present for certain period of time. In cases where angina doesn’t go away even after rest, medical attention is highly advised since persistent chest pain can be indicative of worsening of the problems related to the heart function.
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Who is at risk of getting affected by angina?
Due to the fact that it is caused by the problems with the arteries, angina pectoris is more common in older people. According to recent estimates by the NHS, roughly 8% of men and 3% of women aged 55 or more are affected by this condition. However, in age group older than 65, these numbers reach 14% and 8% respectively.
Angina treatment and prevention
Those diagnosed with angina pectoris are highly advised to commence treatment as soon as possible due to the fact that when left untreated, this condition can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as heart attack or stroke. However, medical experts emphasise that it is also possible to prevent angina complications with certain lifestyle changes aimed at improving one’s long-term health prospects. This includes a healthier diet, reduced saturated fat intake, quitting smoking and introducing some light exercise in the daily routine.
Medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina work by easing the stress on the heart. This stress is caused by another characteristic sign of angina, namely, the narrowing and hardening of the arteries around the heart. These changes will eventually restrict the blood flow to the area and, what’s even more dangerous, limit the oxygen supply to the heart. In order to compensate for the lack of oxygen, the heart will begin beating faster and harder, thus being put under increased strain.
Amlodipine, one of the most popular angina medicines relies on the active ingredient istin in order to reduce the effect of calcium on arterial muscle walls, preventing them from becoming to tense and contributing to their relaxation. Consequently, the arteries will dilate and thus contribute to healthier blood flow to and from heart, effectively curbing angina symptoms.
Can I buy angina medicines online in the UK?
Yes, numerous angina treatments are readily available on the digital market and you can easily buy them online. However, you should keep in mind that angina medicines are prescription-only, so even when buying online, you still have to provide the online clinic of your choice with a valid prescription issued by certified medical professional.
If this is your first time buying angina medicines and you wish to complete the purchase online, most online clinics offer the service of consulting with a doctor online, either through a kind of live chat app, or via customized questionnaire that will allow the doctor to get a detailed insight into your medical profile and history.
If you are suitable for the treatment, a prescription will be issued and instantly used to send the relevant medicine to the address you provided.
What types of angina treatment are there?
There are numerous angina medicines available on the modern market and different drugs are generally prescribed for different levels of severity of the condition. Those who encountered chest pain first time in their lives should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible so they can get a reliable advice on how to proceed.
On the other hand, high-risk patients might even be advised to undergo surgery, even if prescription treatment might be used (or will be used afterwards).
Finally, low-risk patients will be instructed to make certain lifestyle choices and commence treatment. Most commonly, prescription medicines that will be recommended will belong to a class of substance called calcium-channel blockers. This group includes both branded Istin and generic Amlodipine.
What are calcium-channel blockers?
Calcium-channel blockers, also known as calcium antagonists work by decelerating the delivery of calcium to the smooth muscle tissue lining the arteries. As a consequence, the muscles will relax, widening the arteries and allowing the blood to flow to and from the heart more freely.
What are side effects of angina treatments?
As is the case with all prescription medicines, angina pectoris treatments have also been known to cause certain side effects in some people who are using them. Most commonly, they are rather mild and include headaches, flushing and dizziness. However, some medicines can also cause rather uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous side effects. More detailed info on this topic can be found on specific product pages as well as in the official patient information leaflets that are issued within every pack of the medicine.
Should I use Istin or Amlodipine? What’s the difference?
Both Istin and Amlodipine are reliable and highly efficient angina medicines. The choice between them is most likely to be made by your doctor in line with your medical profile and history. However, regardless of which medicine you end up taking, the doctor will monitor the process and change the treatment if there are any signs of adverse reactions to the medicine.
However, the bottom line is that both medicines are based on the same active ingredient, and as such, they share the same mechanism of action, success rates and side effects. The only documented differences are deemed minimal by the medical experts and they are mostly related to the exact side effects documented and contraindications identified.
