Angina is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This is a symptom of an underlying issue like coronary artery disease. While various medical treatments are available, managing personal health factors, particularly weight, plays a part in controlling angina symptoms.
The Link Between Excess Weight and Angina
Excess body weight contributes to the development and worsening of angina by placing greater demands on the heart. A larger body mass requires the heart to pump more blood to supply oxygen to all its tissues, increasing the heart’s workload. This elevated demand can strain the heart, especially if the coronary arteries are already narrowed by disease.
Excess weight also contributes to other conditions that negatively affect cardiovascular health. High blood pressure is a consequence, as the heart must exert more force to push blood through the vascular system. Being overweight can also lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels, with an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. This imbalance promotes the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis, which is the primary cause of angina.
Beyond these factors, adipose (fat) tissue is an active endocrine organ that releases substances promoting systemic inflammation. This chronic inflammation can affect the health of blood vessels, including the coronary arteries. The inflammatory process can contribute to the instability of existing plaques, making them more likely to cause blockages that trigger angina pain.
How Weight Loss Improves Angina Control
Losing weight directly counteracts the factors that contribute to angina. As body weight decreases, the heart’s workload is reduced. With less tissue to supply with blood, the heart does not have to pump as hard, which lowers its oxygen requirements and makes angina episodes less likely.
A modest weight loss of 5-10% of total body weight can lead to a drop in blood pressure, lessening the strain on the heart. Weight loss also positively influences blood cholesterol by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. At the same time, it can help raise protective HDL cholesterol, which works to remove excess cholesterol from the arteries, slowing the progression of atherosclerosis.
These physiological improvements can lead to a marked decrease in the frequency and severity of angina attacks. The reduction in the heart’s workload and improvement in risk factors mean physical exertion is less likely to trigger chest pain. This allows for a more active lifestyle, and many people are able to reduce their reliance on medication.
Heart-Healthy Diet for Angina and Weight Management
A heart-healthy diet is a strategy for managing both angina and weight. The focus should be on consuming nutrient-dense foods that are lower in calories, such as fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which support health and promote fullness, helping to control calorie intake. Whole grains, like oats and brown rice, are also beneficial as their fiber content can help manage cholesterol.
It is also important to limit foods that negatively impact heart health. Reducing sodium intake is a primary goal for managing blood pressure, which means cutting back on processed foods, canned soups, and fast food. Limiting saturated and trans fats, found in red meat and full-fat dairy, is advised for maintaining healthy cholesterol. Added sugars and refined carbohydrates should also be minimized as they contribute empty calories.
Established eating patterns like the Mediterranean or DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets offer frameworks for a heart-healthy lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil, with a focus on fish and poultry over red meat. The DASH diet is designed to lower blood pressure and prioritizes similar food groups while setting specific limits on sodium.
Portion control is a necessary part of any dietary approach for weight loss. Even healthy foods contain calories, so being mindful of serving sizes helps create the calorie deficit required to lose weight. Using smaller plates, reading food labels, and paying attention to hunger cues can all help manage food consumption.
Safe Exercise Guidelines for Individuals with Angina
Physical activity is beneficial for people with angina but must be approached with careful planning. The first step is to consult with a doctor before starting an exercise program. A healthcare provider can assess an individual’s condition, sometimes recommending a stress test to determine how much activity the heart can safely handle.
For most individuals with angina, low-impact aerobic exercises are recommended as they improve the body’s use of oxygen without excessive heart strain. These forms of exercise strengthen the heart and can encourage the body to develop new blood vessels that bypass narrowed arteries. Good choices include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Using an elliptical machine
Always begin with a 5-10 minute warm-up of light activity, like slow walking, to gradually increase heart rate. A cool-down of the same duration is important to allow the heart rate to return to normal slowly. It is important to listen to your body and use the “talk test”: you should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising. If you become too breathless to speak, the intensity is too high.
Certain activities should be avoided. Sudden bursts of strenuous exertion, such as sprinting or lifting very heavy weights, can rapidly increase the heart’s oxygen demand and may trigger angina. It is also wise to avoid exercising in extreme temperatures, as this can interfere with circulation. If chest pain occurs during activity, stop immediately, rest, and follow your doctor’s instructions.