Suddenly an excruciating pain drives its claws into your chest and drops you to your knees. You fold like an accordion onto the floor, struggling in agony to catch your breath. The pressure is so intense, it feels like a car is parked on top of your heart. You lie there paralyzed with fear, praying that the pain will pass. . .
Words can only go so far in describing the pain of an acute attack of angina pectoris.
The real thing is an experience no one wants to have. But last year 6.2 million Americans were stricken with the condition. These restrictions result from fatty deposits building up on the arterial walls. Excessive dietary fat, lack of exercise, smoking, and genetics may all contribute to the disease. Coronary bypasses reroute the arteries around the restricted vessels.