How Long Does Unstable Angina Last

how long does unstable angina last

Any time a person has the tightness in their chest that is angina it’s one thing, but when it is unstable angina it means it comes on suddenly and seriously. That is usually more of a need for concern if your angina is unstable. If so it may be more of an indication that you’re at risk of a cardiac event rather than just the discomfort of chest pain. Women can get angina too, but it is more common for men. A big part of why this type of angina is such a problem is that it can be triggered by exertion and for many men exerting themselves is part of making a living. So how long does unstable angina last?

The average is around 20 minutes, and if you’re new to having this chest tightness then it’s good to know that timeframe as if it lasts much longer than that you may want to see a doctor or cardiologist. As we talked about in our last blog about angina symptoms, we talked about the sports cars of-choice for most of these venerable healthcare professionals, but it is better to explain quickly how unstable angina happens before we get into unstable angina causes. The answer to that is that it is related to poor blood flow due to atherosclerosis, where fatty buildup becomes plaque that can be blocking blood flow and create the risk of heart attack or stroke if it’s left unchecked.

The good news is that the pharmacology has come along way in treating heart conditions of all sorts, and that will be good news for anyone knew to having this one and wondering how long does unstable angina last. Medications like Cardizem and Ranexa are known to work very well for managing angina but best results for treating angina are always when the person takes other steps to reduce pressure on the heart because of restricted blood flow. Being slimmer and healthier in general is highly advisable for every reason, and not just reducing angina and chest pain.

Cease with Cigs

We’ve laid out how long angina lasts – about 20 minutes for most people and if you have angina from exertion then it will often be less than that even. Talking more about unstable angina causes, here’s one factor that can magnify the severity of the problem in a big way. It used to be that smoking was sexy in America, and it was quite common for young people to start smoking. Fortunately it’s much less common nowadays, and both being smarter about health and the crazy price of a pack of smokes these days have contributed to that.

The reason smoking and worse atherosclerosis are connected is the nicotine and other harmful ingredients in cigarette smoke make the fatty deposits more likely to form, along with accelerating the growth of plaque in the arteries. It can be especially bad for arteries in the legs, and while atherosclerosis is slow to develop for most people if you are type who has been smoking daily for decades you really do need to find a way to quit smoking. If you’ve tried and failed, you can try TFT to quit smoking. Nicotine patches do work well these days and there is always Chantix, but you may need to deal with the psychology of your cigarette addiction

Think of Time

As we’ve gone over around how long does unstable angina last, the biggest difference between stable and unstable angina is that the one that isn’t more constant is more of a heart attack danger sign. So if you’re inclined to ask how long does unstable angina last then you may also be keen to know how long can you have angina before a heart attack. That’s not as easy a question to answer as it really depends on the individual and if there are other comorbidity factors or if you eat a KFC Double Down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.

We don’t know anyone like that, but we understand that you may. And they may be perfectly satisfied with the choice to eat that way, and may not even be overweight. You may find their eating attractive. But they will likely have high cholesterol and that contributes to poor heart health issues too. How long does unstable angina last and before heart attack risk attack starts? That’s something you need to stay ahead of and making sure your heart is not genuinely at risk.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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