Not Just Chest Pain Means Heart Problems
Heart-attack
victims experience angina or chest pain only about half the time. For the
other half, it is critical to know the "anginal equivalents," the May issue
of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter reports.
Coronary-artery
disease narrows one or more of the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood
to the heart. If an artery becomes mostly or completely blocked, a heart
attack or even sudden death can result.
Common anginal
equivalents include shortness of breath and exercise-induced pain in the
abdomen, back, jaw, arm -- usually the left arm -- or shoulder. If any
of these symptoms appear, and if they are induced by activity, have no
obvious cause, or recur, the Mayo letter warns, see your doctor immediately,
especially if your family history favors heart disease, high blood pressure,
high cholesterol or diabetes.
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