Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction are two serious diseases that are most commonly interchanged. Early recognition of angina pectoris may prevent the condition from developing into myocardial infarction. This article aims to point out the differences between the two and provide the recommended interventions for them.

Angina pectoris is medically defined as the chest pain resulting from the reduced blood flow from coronary arteries to the myocardium. The insufficient blood flow is brought about by the inadequate supply of oxygen. The chest pain associated with angina pectoris is described as squeezing, pressing, burning, choking, or bursting felt along the sternum. Pain may be sudden and intermittent, often resulting from exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerine.

Myocardial infarction, on the other hand, is a medical condition more popularly known as heart attack. It results from the death or destruction of myocardial tissue that is brought about by the lack of oxygen. The pain associated with myocardial infarction is described to be crushing or excruciating and normally radiates to the shoulder, neck, jaw, and back. The pain is not relieved by rest and nitroglycerine.

Both conditions can be diagnosed through ECG or electrocardiogram. ECG test results of a patient with angina pectoris reveals ST segment depression while that of a patient with myocardial infarction shows ST segment elevation or depression and T wave inversion.  Angina pectoris can also be diagnosed through an exercise stress test. On the other hand, additional laboratory tests confirming myocardial infarction include elevated levels of Troponin and Creatinine phosphokinase.

Management for a person with angina pectoris includes the administration of nitroglycerine to relieve pain. The patient should be reminded that the burning sensation under the tongue after nitroglycerine administration indicates the drugs potency. Additionally, nitroglycerine may also cause headache and flushing of the face.

In contrast, interventions for a person with confirmed myocardial infarction include administration of oxygen, administration of Demerol to relieve the pain, positioning the patient in a medium-to-high back rest to promote lung expansion and increase oxygen intake, and maintaining a low-fat, low-salt and low-cholesterol diet.

As the popular saying goes, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. In a society governed by instant food, we must be careful in choosing the available food choices. A well-balanced and healthy diet coupled with a regular exercise regimen will help us decrease the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.