Arkadelphia Life - 62

Dr. Oyidie Igbokidi,
interventional cardiologist at
CHI St. Vincent Heart Clinic

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS

C

hest pain can be difficult to diagnose without
a doctor. The key is recognizing the difference
between common aches and pains and something
more serious. For Dr. Oyidie Igbokidi, an interventional cardiologist at the CHI St. Vincent Heart Clinic Arkansas
in Hot Springs, it often comes down to underlying risk factors
for cardiovascular disease. " Being a cardiologist, I see a lot of
patients with chest pain or cardiac etiology, " Dr. Igbokidi says.
" We have to be sure that we're looking at each patient based
on their individual risk factors. "
ANGINA
A common type of chest pain is angina, caused by reduced
blood flow to the heart. Symptoms can include pressure,
tightness, squeezing, heaviness or pain in the chest, while
also often spreading to the jaw, shoulders, arm or neck.
" If a patient says their chest pain is brought on by exertion
and relieved by rest, with symptoms like shortness of breath
or sweating, then I would say this sounds like classic angina, "
says Dr. Igbokidi.
Angina often presents differently for women than for men.
Men will typically feel tightness, pressure or discomfort in
their chest, particularly during moments of stress or strenuous
activity. Women, on the other hand, will often have symptoms
unrelated to the chest, including nausea, vomiting or abdominal pains.
If the pain is severe and sudden onset with symptoms such
as shortness of breath, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting
or abdominal pain, emergency medical services should be
called immediately. If the symptoms are mild, patients should

62 ARKADELPHIA LIFE 2021

call their primary care physician and make an appointment.
TREATING ANGINA
Treatment for angina varies. " If we know a patient has angina, their symptoms are not escalating and their pain is easily
relieved by either rest or medication, we call it stable angina, " Dr. Igbokidi says. " Some of those patients might require
nitroglycerin for their symptoms. "
Nitroglycerin provides relief by relaxing and widening
blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily to the heart.
However, there are steps that should be taken before ultimately taking a nitroglycerin capsule.
" For angina patients that experience classic symptoms,
we ask them to first stop what they're doing and sit down, "
says Dr. Igbokidi. " If those symptoms don't resolve within five
minutes, we would advise them to take nitroglycerin. If they
don't feel any better after five more minutes, they can use a
second nitroglycerin.
" I typically tell my patients, if you've used two and you're
still having symptoms, you should call 911. Do not get in the
car or have someone else drive you to the emergency room,
especially if the symptoms are escalating despite taking the
nitroglycerin.
" Angina can come in different forms for different people, "
Dr. Igbokidi says. " The general rule should be if you have any
discomfort that is new, persistent and greater than mild, you
should seek emergency care. "
For more information, or questions about your heart health,
contact the CHI St. Vincent Heart Clinic Arkansas in Hot
Springs at (501) 625-8400, or visit chistvincent.com/heart. s


http://chistvincent.com/heart

Arkadelphia Life

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