Patient's question:
I recently feel severe heart pain with a strong sense of pressure, and my breathing is a bit difficult. Previously, when I went to the hospital, they said I had angina, but I'm very afraid it might be a heart attack. What is the difference between angina and a heart attack? If I have a heart attack, what should I do?Doctor's answer:
Angina pectoris is severe chest pain caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries of the heart, without the formation of a thrombus that blocks the blood flow. Myocardial infarction occurs when atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries break off or form a thrombus, obstructing a specific part of the coronary artery, leading to necrosis of the myocardium distal to the obstruction. The clinical symptoms are also different. Angina pectoris manifests as recurring pain that can be relieved after a period of time, generally not exceeding half an hour. Myocardial infarction involves severe, persistent pain that does not subside. Angina pectoris can progress into myocardial infarction. If angina pectoris recurs, rest immediately and take medication to relieve cerebral edema, in order to prevent it from progressing into myocardial infarction.