General practitioner’s tactics in the management of patients with stable angina

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system, which is based on a disorder of the trophism of the heart muscle against the background of pathological changes in the coronary vessels. The leading factor in changes in coronary vessels is stenosing atherosclerosis, which results in impaired blood flow. Risk factors include male gender, older age, a burdened familial history, as well as low physical activity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death, especially in developed countries, and the number one cause of medical visits related to heart and vascular problems. One of the most common manifestations of ischemic heart disease is angina pectoris. When pain sensations appear against the background of physical activity or emotional stress, it is called angina of effort, but if angina manifestations occur outside the period of physical and mental activity, we are speaking about resting angina pectoris. There are acute and chronic forms of ischemic heart disease, and while cardiologists and cardiac resuscitators usually deal with acute conditions, dynamic monitoring of patients after a myocardial infarction or with angina pectoris is a part of the responsibility of a general practitioner.