Angina is a term used for chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Angina (an-JIE-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina is typically described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in your chest.

Angina, also called angina pectoris, can be a recurring problem or a sudden, acute health concern.

Angina is relatively common but can be hard to distinguish from other types of chest pain, such as the pain or discomfort of indigestion. If you have unexplained chest pain, seek medical attention right away.


SYMPTOMS

Symptoms associated with angina include:

Chest pain or discomfort

Pain in your arms, neck, jaw, shoulder or back accompanying chest pain

Nausea

Fatigue

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Dizziness


CAUSES

Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to your heart muscle. Your blood carries oxygen, which your heart muscle needs to survive. When your heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen, it causes a condition called ischemia.

The most common cause of reduced blood flow to your heart muscle is coronary artery disease (CAD). Your heart (coronary) arteries can become narrowed by deposits called plaques. This is called atherosclerosis.

This reduced blood flow is a supply problem — your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. You may wonder why you don't always have angina if your heart arteries are narrowed due to fatty buildup. This is because during times of low oxygen demand — when you're resting, for example — your heart muscle may be able to get by on the reduced amount of blood flow without triggering angina symptoms. But when you increase the demand for oxygen, such as when you exercise, this can cause angina.

Stable angina. Stable angina is usually triggered by physical exertion. When you climb stairs, exercise or walk, your heart demands more blood, but it's harder for the muscle to get enough blood when your arteries are narrowed. Besides physical activity, other factors, such as emotional stress, cold temperatures, heavy meals and smoking, also can narrow arteries and trigger angina.
Unstable angina. If fat-containing deposits (plaques) in a blood vessel rupture and a blood clot forms, it can quickly block or reduce flow through a narrowed artery, suddenly and severely decreasing blood flow to your heart muscle. Unstable angina can also be caused by blood clots that block or partially block your heart's blood vessels.

Unstable angina worsens and is not relieved by rest or your usual medications. If the blood flow doesn't improve, heart muscle deprived of oxygen dies — a heart attack. Unstable angina is dangerous and requires emergency treatment.

Variant angina. Variant angina, also called Prinzmetal's angina, is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery in which the artery temporarily narrows. This narrowing reduces blood flow to your heart, causing chest pain. Variant angina can occur even when you're at rest, and is often severe. It can be relieved with medications.

RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors increase your risk of coronary artery disease and angina:
Tobacco use.
diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
history of heart diseases
stress
lack of exercise
older age
obesity
COMPLICATIONS

The chest pain that can occur with angina can make some normal activities, such as walking, uncomfortable. However, the most dangerous complication to be concerned about with angina is a heart attack.

Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes

Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw

Increasing episodes of chest pain

Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Impending sense of doom

Fainting

Nausea and vomiting

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). 

Stress test. 

Echocardiogram. 

Nuclear stress test. 

Chest X-ray. 

Blood tests. 

Coronary angiography. 

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

Lifestyle changes
Medications
Nitrates
Aspirin
Clot-preventing drugs
Beta blockers
statins
Calcium channel blockers
Ranolazine (Ranexa

#angina
#Dr_Abdul_Ghani

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