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Treatment for heart pain
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Analysis of pathophysiological aspects and various clinical manifestations allows us to detect the multi-level and polysystemic nature of various links in the pathogenesis and symptom formation in the occurrence of pain in the heart, rhythm disturbances and vascular tone, and changes in the ECG.
One of the major problems that exists today in the treatment of the above disorders is the ingrained notion that any suffering is necessarily based on morphological, anatomical changes, even in situations where the absence of the latter has been proven. Such changes are associated with the presence in modern society of an "organismocentric" model of medicine, which, despite the declarative slogans (treat not the disease, but the patient, etc.), is focused on the organism, the organ, and not on the personality, the person.
In our opinion, the most realistic and effective approach to the treatment of vegetative disorders in the cardiovascular system is the one in which the said disorders are considered as a systemic variant of psychovegetative syndrome. In accordance with this approach, it is necessary to influence the mental, vegetative, and somatic spheres.
Treatment of mental disorders
Clinical and psychological analysis allows us to identify the structure of existing disorders, conduct a correct syndromological assessment of affective disorders, identify the contribution of psychogenic, endogenous, somatogenic factors, the role of premorbidity, etc. in the formation of a specific form of autonomic dysfunction.
Treatment measures are implemented according to two, most often interrelated, programs.
- Psychotherapeutic correction. It consists of clarifying the structure of the internal picture of the disease and correcting it by convincing the patient that he does not have a dangerous somatic disease. In this way, iatrogenic influences that arise as a result of communication with doctors who suspect dangerous suffering, reading medical literature by patients are eliminated. In some cases, in the presence of hyperventilation disorders, hyperventilation provocation of vegetative phenomena with their subsequent relief is indicated. Rational psychotherapy, autogenic training, hypnosis, etc. can also be used.
- Psychotropic drugs. They are prescribed depending on the structure of emotional disorders.
Impact on autonomic disorders
The effect is achieved in two ways: by voluntary regulation of breathing and by prescribing vegetotropic agents.
The impact on vegetative functions by means of voluntary breathing regulation techniques is a new and promising chapter in modern vegetology. Respiratory gymnastics is indicated in all cases of vegetative dysfunction, since the respiratory system is closely connected with the cardiovascular and other systems of the body and its use leads to a fairly effective stabilization of the psychovegetative status.
Among the drugs of the vegetative series, beta-blockers are most widely used. The presence of arterial hypotension in the patient also requires the prescription of such drugs as saparal, magnolia vine infusion, ginseng, zamaniha, pantocrine, calcium preparations (gluconate, calcium lactate), ascorbic acid. In some cases, the use of regulon is indicated to increase blood pressure.
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Correction of somatic and other disorders
Correction of somatic and other disorders consists of influencing a number of phenomena that are important in maintaining vegetative perturbations. For example, in the vast majority of patients, along with the presence of signs of hyperventilation, there are also often signs of increased neuromuscular excitability (latent tetany). In such cases, drugs are prescribed that reduce the level of neuromuscular excitability - mineral correctors. The most commonly used drugs are those that regulate calcium metabolism: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2), AT-10, tachystin, calcium gluconate, glycerophosphate, calcium chloride, as well as those that regulate magnesium metabolism - magnesium lactate, potassium and magnesium aspartate, magnesium-B6.
Other symptomatic agents indicated are drugs that reduce vestibular excitability in the presence of vestibular disorders. These are stugeron, aeron, dedalon, torekan, betaserk, etc.; vestibular gymnastics are also used.
The presence of allergic manifestations requires the administration of desensitizing agents - ascorbic acid, pipolfen, suprastin, tavegil, diphenhydramine, claritin, etc.
In case of pain in the heart area, it is recommended to take valocordin or valerian tincture, light self-massage in the areas of pain projection or use distracting local irritants (pepper plaster, mustard plasters). Heart pain that has features of angina is an indication for the prescription of calcium-blocking drugs such as isoptin (verapamil) at 0.04-0.08 g 3 times a day for 2-5 weeks.
In addition to psychotherapy and breathing exercises, non-drug treatment methods include acupuncture, therapeutic exercise and massage, diet therapy, physiotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa treatment.
In addition to the well-known principles of treating osteochondrosis, novocaine blockades and manual therapy are also indicated for myofascial syndromes.