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What is (angina)

Types of angina

Symptoms of angina

Angina in Women vs. Men

Angina Causes

Angina Risk Factors

Angina Treatment

When to get medical help

Living with Angina

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and references

Angina is a form of chest pain caused by the decreased blood supply to the heart. A lack of blood flow suggests that the cardiovascular system is not getting enough oxygen. Physical exertion or emotional stress are common causes of this type of discomfort.[3]
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Types of angina

There are different types of angina:

1. (stable Angina)
The most frequent type of angina is stable angina, often known as angina pectoris. Stable angina is a well-defined pattern of chest discomfort. The pattern is frequently traceable based on what you’re doing while you feel the discomfort in your chest. Tracking stable angina symptoms can help you manage them more readily.

 

2.(Unstable Angina)
Another type of angina is unstable angina. It happens unexpectedly and worsens with time. It has the potential to result in a heart attack. Although stable angina is less severe than unstable angina, it can still be painful and uncomfortable. Both types of angina are typical symptoms of an underlying heart issue, so consult your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms.

 

3.(Microvascular Angina)
It can arise in the presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (MVD). This has an impact on the tiniest coronary arteries, In addition to chest pain, a patient may feel:
*weariness and a lack of energy
*Sleeping issues
*Breathing difficulty
Microvascular angina is more likely to be persistent than stable angina. It frequently lasts more than 10 minutes and, on occasion, more than 30 minutes.

 

4.(Variant Angina)
Variant angina is uncommon. Doctors frequently refer to it as Prinzmetal angina, and it can occur when the body is at rest, usually around midnight or early in the morning. It occurs when the coronary arteries contract. Cold exposure, stress, medications, smoking, or cocaine usage are all potential factors. It is a serious illness that can be treated medically.[3]

Symptoms of angina

The symptom is chest pain, but it differs from person to person. One can experience:

*weariness and a lack of energy
*Burning
*Discomfort
*Dizziness
*Fatigue
*A sense of tiredness or pressure
*Vomiting or upset stomach
*Breathing difficulty
*Squeezing
*Sweating

You could misunderstand aching or blistering heartburn or gas.
Pain behind your breastbone is likely, and it may spread to one’s shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back. Rest often helps with stable angina. Unstable angina may not, and it may worsen. It’s a medical issue that needs immediate attention.[3]

 

 

Angina in Women vs. Men

Men often feel pain in their chest, neck, and shoulders. Women may feel discomfort in their belly, neck, jaw, throat, or back. You may also have shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness.
 
One study found that women were more likely to use the words “pressing” or “crashing” to describe the feeling.[4]

Angina Causes

Angina usually happens because of heart disease. A fatty substance called plaque builds up in your arteries, blocking blood flow to your heart muscle. This forces your heart to work with less oxygen. That causes pain. You may also have blood clots in the arteries of your heart, which can cause heart attacks.[4][3]

Angina Risk Factors

Some things about you or your lifestyle could put you at higher risk of angina, including:[4]

*Older age…

Angina is most common in adults over the age of 60.

*Family history of heart disease…

Inform your doctor if your mother, father, or any siblings have or have had cardiovascular disease or a heart attack.

*High blood pressure…

Hypertension damages arteries over time by hastening artery hardening.

*High levels of cholesterol or triglycerides…

Too much bad cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in the bloodstream can cause artery narrowing. High LDL cholesterol raises the risk of angina and heart disease. A high triglyceride level in the blood is also harmful.

*Diabetes…

Diabetes raises the risk of heart attack, which causes angina and heart attacks by hastening atherosclerosis and elevating cholesterol levels.

*Obesity…

Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, which might lead to angina. Obesity causes the heart to beat to supply blood throughout the body.

*Using tobacco…

Smoking, chewing tobacco, and long-term secondhand smoke exposure can harm the lining of the arteries, allowing cholesterol deposits to accumulate and block blood flow.

*Not getting enough exercise…

Inactivity is linked to high cholesterol, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Consult your doctor about the type and number of exercises that are best for you.[3]

*Other medical conditions…

Angina is more likely in people who have chronic kidney problems, peripheral arterial disease, metabolic syndrome, or a history of stroke.

Angina Treatment

Your treatment will be determined by the extent of the damage to your heart. Medicine and changes in lifestyle can often help people with mild angina, improve their blood flow and control the symptoms.
 
There are many ways to treat angina pectoris, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.[3]
Treatment of angina includes:

 

*Determining the cause.
*Cardiac procedures to open blocked arteries.
*Medicines to help keep the arteries open.
*Medicines to treat other medical conditions and risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
*Lifestyle changes including healthy diet and physical activity.
*Cardiac rehabilitation (if you qualify).

These treatments will help reduce pain and discomfort and how often the angina pain occurs. They will also prevent or lower your risk for heart attack and death by treating the underlying cardiovascular condition you may have.[7]

When to get medical help

If you have not been diagnosed with angina, get an urgent GP appointment if you have an attack of chest pain that stops within a few minutes of resting.

They can check if it might be a heart problem and refer you to a hospital for tests.[1]

Living with Angina

If your symptoms are well controlled and you make healthy lifestyle changes, you can usually have a normal life with angina.

_To reduce the risk of serious problems like heart attacks and strokes, that is a warning sign of Angina, you should:[1]

*have a balanced diet
*cut down on alcohol
*stop smoking if you smoke
*lose weight if you’re overweight

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the early signs of angina?
Angina symptoms include:

*Chest discomfort or pain
*Nausea
*Fatigue
*Shortness of breath
*Sweating
*Dizziness

Q2. What are the various types of angina?
Angina is of many types. The most prominent are:

*Stable Angina
*Unstable Angina
*Variant Angina
*Microvascular Angina

Q3. Can a person die from angina pectoris?
If this condition is diagnosed, then it indicates that the person is at an increased risk of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death.

Q4. How do doctors diagnose angina pectoris?
Angina can be diagnosed with the help of an ECG- an instrument designed to record the electrical activity of the heart.

Q5. Does Angina pectoris increase with exercise?
Angina can be induced with strenuous activity. However, if carefully supervised exercise programs are performed, they can prove quite beneficial for heart health.[2]

Sources and references

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angina/living/ [1]
https://byjus.com/biology/angina-pectoris/ [2]
https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/diseases/angina/ [3]
https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-disease-angina [4]
https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/angina/ [5]
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/angina [6]
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/angina-chest-pain [7]
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