Angina - an Affair of the Heart

by Lesley Hind
^{(creative writers at www.morewriting.co.uk)}
Alan felt a chest pain start while going for a walk
Sharp and sudden on it came he couldn't breathe or talk
It radiated to his jaw, his stomach and his arm
He had to stop and take a rest before he came to harm

Alan told his doctor that the pain was sharp and strong
The doctor smiled and nodded - he knew just what was wrong
"Angina's very common among us middle-aged men,
Though women and those younger may get it now and then"

Alan was a heavy man who liked to smoke and drink
His couch potato lifestyle had brought him to the brink
The doctor began his questions, Alan thought, "I wonder -
Obese, unfit and fifty.... this might just drag me under"

Tests were done on Alan's bloods and then an ECG
Results returned normal - "a cardiologist you must see"
"ECG with treadmill test is effective and precise
It tests the fitness of your heart as you exercise"

"Angina pain comes from your heart, as narrowing in the arteries start
They get clogged up with built up fat, fur up and hold the blood flow back"
"When the blood can't reach your heart, that's when stabbing chest pain starts
You'll be fine relaxing and at rest, but exertion triggers pain in your chest"

"Smoking and high cholesterol make Angina worse
I'll book you for a lifestyle talk with our Practice Nurse"
"For controlling your Angina, change of lifestyle is advised"
Alan sat in the treatment room where a care plan was devised

The doctor gave some GTN both tablets and a spray
For taking prior to exercise and to keep chest pain at bay
He added in an Aspirin one tablet every day
"It makes your blood less sticky so the platelets flow away"

A statin to stop his liver producing lots of fat
Advice on diet and exercise to prevent a heart attack
Now that Alan has the tools to ward off his attacks
He can get on with his daily tasks re-claiming his life back

Alan's usually stable and without a pain at rest
But getting stressed and anxious strikes pain across his chest
He finds that after eating meals and walking in strong winds
Can trigger the Angina attack and then the pain begins

So, when he feels a chest pain he reaches for his spray
One quick squirt is all it needs to ease his pain away
Healthy diet and exercise when done in moderation
Helps Alan kick Angina back into relegation