ANGINA
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ARTICLE SOURCE: University of Maryland
Medical Center
Medical Center
ANGINA DEFINITION
INTRODUCTION
Angina is chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to the heart (called ischemia). It often occurs when you are under emotional or physical stress, such as exercise. When the heart does not get enough oxygen from the coronary arteries, you feel a squeezing chest pain or pressure across your chest that usually goes away after you stop the activity. The most common cause of angina is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Chest pain that is fairly predictable and usually occurs when you exercise is called stable angina. It is relieved with rest or nitroglycerin. Chest pain that occurs when you are resting, or at unpredictable times, is known as unstable angina. Unstable angina can lead to a heart attack, so you should immediately call 911 if you experience symptoms.
It can be difficult to determine whether chest pain is something serious or a milder condition. For that reason, you should always see a doctor. Angina can lead to a heart attack, so you should never try to diagnose or treat it on your own.
RISK FACTORS
The risk factors for angina are the same as the risk factors for developing heart disease, including:
- Age
- Male gender
- Menopause
- Family history of heart disease
- Diabetes
- Smoking or exposure to second hand smoke
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- History of stroke
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stress
- Thyroid disease
- Metabolic syndrome
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