What Is Angina

 

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood. Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It may also feel like indigestion.

Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This buildup of plaque is called atherosclerosis. As plaque builds up, the coronary arteries become narrow and stiff. Blood flow to the heart is reduced. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Types of Angina

 

There are 3 types of angina-stable, unstable, and variant (Prinzmetal's). It is very important to know the differences among the types.

 

Stable angina:

Stable angina is the most common type. It occurs when the heart is working harder than usual.

-  There is a regular pattern to stable angina.

-  After several episodes, you learn to recognize the pattern and can predict when it will occur.

- The pain usually goes away in a few minutes when you rest or take your angina medicine.

- Stable angina is not a heart attack but makes it more likely that you will have a heart attack in the future.

 

Unstable angina:

Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment. It is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon. Unlike stable angina, it does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine.  

Variant angina:

Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs at rest. The pain can be severe and usually occurs between midnight and early morning. It is relieved by medication.
Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. Chest pain or discomfort can be caused by a heart attack, lung problems (such as an infection or a blood clot), heartburn, or a panic attack. However, all chest pain should be checked by a doctor. 

 

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Angina?

 

The pain or discomfort of angina:

-  Is often described as pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest

-  Usually starts in the chest behind the breastbone

-  May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back

-  May feel like indigestion.

 

Some people say that angina discomfort is hard to describe or that they can't tell exactly where the pain is coming from. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness may also occur.

 

Symptoms vary based on the type of angina.

 

Stable Angina:

The pain or discomfort:

-  Occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion

-  Is expected, and episodes of pain tend to be alike

-   Usually lasts a short time (5 minutes or less)

-   Is relieved by rest or angina medicine

-   May feel like gas or indigestion

-   May feel like chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, or other areas.

 

Unstable Angina:

The pain or discomfort:

-  Often occurs at rest, while sleeping at night, or with little physical exertion

-  Is unexpected

-  Is more severe and lasts longer (as long as 30 minutes) than stable angina episodes

-  Is usually not relieved with rest or angina medicine

-  May get continuously worse

-  May signal that a heart attack will happen soon.

 

Variant Angina:

The pain or discomfort:

-  Usually occurs at rest and during the night or early morning hours

-  Tends to be severe

-  Is relieved by angina medicine.

Chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes and is not relieved by rest or angina medicine may mean you are having-or are about to have-a heart attack. Get emergency help right away.