What is angina (angina pectoris)?
Angina, also called angina pectoris, is discomfort or pain in the chest that happens when not enough oxygen-rich blood reaches the muscle cells of the heart. Angina is not a disease, but a symptom of a more serious condition, usually coronary artery disease, an illness in which the vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrow or blocked. Coronary artery
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disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits (called plaque) build up along the inside walls of blood vessels. Although angina most commonly affects males who are middle-aged or older, it can occur in both sexes and in all age groups.
Chest pain is a common symptom which can be caused by many different conditions. Some causes of chest pain require prompt medical attention, such as angina, heart attack, or tearing of the aorta. Other causes of chest pain can be evaluated electively, such as spasm of the esophagus, gallbladder attack, or inflammation of the chest wall. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is important in providing proper treatment to patients with chest pain. The diagnosis and treatment of angina is discussed below, as well as the diagnosis of other causes of chest pain that can mimic angina.
Angina pectoris is the result of a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle, due to a reduced blood flow around the heart's blood vessels. This lack of oxygen to the heart is known as myocardial ischemia. Angina pectoris is a common symptom of myocardial ischemia (most often chest pain). People with coronary artery disease are most often affected by angina. Angina is the most common symptom of myocardial ischemia. It is caused by stimulation of nerve endings in the heart muscle and its blood vessels.
Increases in heart rate result in increased oxygen demand by the heart. The heart has a limited ability to increase its oxygen intake during episodes of increased demand. Therefore, an increase in oxygen demand by the heart (e.g., during exercise) has to be met by a proportional increase in blood flow to the heart. Myocardial ischemia can result from a reduction of blood flow to the heart caused by the stenosis of the heart's arteries, resistance of the blood vessels, or reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the blood vessels) is the most common cause of stenosis of the heart's arteries and, hence, angina pectoris. Many people with chest pain have normal or minimal narrowing of heart arteries. This has shown that resistance of the blood vessels (abnormal constriction or deficient relaxation of heart vessels) can be responsible for as much as 95% of coronary artery resistance.
Myocardial ischemia also can be the result of factors affecting blood composition, such as reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, as seen with severe anemia (low number of red blood cells), or long-term smoking. Roughly 6.3 million Americans are estimated to experience angina. Coronary artery disease is the single most common cause of death in the United States, almost one death per minute. Angina is more often the presenting symptom of coronary artery disease in women than in men. The prevalence of angina rises with an increase in age.
Most patients with angina complain of chest discomfort rather than actual pain, the discomfort is usually is described as a pressure, heaviness, squeezing, burning, or choking sensation. Anginal pain may be localized primarily in the epigastrium (upper central abdomen), back, neck, jaw, or shoulders. Typical locations for radiation of pain are arms, shoulders, and neck. Angina typically is precipitated by exertion or emotional stress, and exacerbated by having a full stomach or cold temperatures (the "4 Es": exertion, emotion, eating and extreme temperature). Pain may be accompanied by sweating and nausea in some cases. It usually lasts for about 1-5 minutes, and is relieved by rest or specific anti-angina medication. Chest pain lasting only a few seconds is normally not angina.
Major risk factors for angina include family history of premature heart disease, cigarette smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Factors associated with reducing the risk of angina include education of patients about the benefits of stopping smoking, cholesterol-lowering (low saturated fats) diet, physical activity, moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks per day), and periodic screening for diabetes and high blood pressure.
The main goals of treatment in angina pectoris are relief of symptoms, slowing progression of the disease, and reduction of future events, especially heart attacks. An aspirin per day has been shown to be beneficial for all patients with stable angina who have no problems with its use. Beta-blockers and nitroglycerin medication are used for symptomatic relief of angina and prevention of ischemic events. |
