Angina or Angina Pectoris is a chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to heart cells. It is a typical symptom of the coronary disease.

The process behind Angina

Angina is the result of myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between supplies and demands on oxygen for the heart tissue. This imbalance makes the heart cells go through a cellular stress which is translated into chest pain in our body.

How does Angina Manifest?

Typically, Angina is expressed by an oppressive or constrictive pain behind the breastbone, variable in intensity but could be distressing and intense. Angina pectoris occurs generally at effort moment and can ease when the effort is stopped. Some people may express jaw pain, shoulder pain or arm pain, generally at the left side of the body, due to the presence of the same pain receptors causing angina in those areas.

Types of Angina

Stable Angina

It is the most common form of angina. Usually happens during activity and eases at rest or when taking medicine. The pain remains for a short time, fifteen minutes or less.

Stable angina occurs at a stable ischemic threshold, meaning that it comes at the same activity level (running, going up stairs…). This form is predictable, as it occurs every time with similarity to previous episodes.

Unstable Angina

This form is more severe, lasts longer and does not go away with rest or medicine. It is unstable due to the lowering of the ischemic threshold. A person is experiencing chest pain at other types of activities which demand less physical effort like walking. Unstable angina can occur also at rest and it is more unpredictable with different episodes that getting worse with time.

Unstable angina is a medical emergency that needs immediate intervention and appropriate treatment.

Prinzmetal Angina (variant angina)

Prinzmetal angina is due to coronary arteries spasm that generally occurs at sleep. It is a rare form of angina and can express severe chest pain.

What are other associated symptoms?

A person getting angina may have:

- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Asthenia
- Nausea
- Sweating

Angina Causes

The three main causes of angina:

Coronary artery disease: the most common cause. It happens when a thrombus forms in a coronary artery and compromises the blood flow to your heart.
Coronary microvascular disease: it is more common in women. It damages tiny artery walls that can’t be seen in a typical test for the coronary artery disease and require more specialized testing to diagnose.
Coronary Artery Spasm: spasms are tightness of the artery lumen. This tightness reduces the blood flow to you heart and causes an imbalance between supplies and demands on oxygen.

Risk Factors

Cardiovascular risk factors that rise a potential angina:

- Age over 50 in men, over 55 in women
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Family history
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption

How to prevent such a symptom?

Fortunately, you can avoid an angina occurrence by adopting good for health habits:

Exercise regularly: exercise has many benefits for our health and helps to avoid the coronary artery disease.
Drop Smoking: smoking is a common bad health behavior. Staying away from it remains a major change not only to preserve our health, but even to enhance it.
Avoid drinking alcohol: a widely used toxic. Alcohol speeds up the occurrence of an angina.
Eat healthy: when coming to prevent angina and coronary artery disease, a healthy diet is often seen as an indispensable key. The Mediterranean diet is largely known for its benefits as a heart-friendly one.
Maintain a healthy weight: exercise and good diet play an essential role to be inshape.
Manage your stress: chronic stress can be a silent factor to develop an angina. Learn relaxation techniques to lower your stress levels.

When to see a doctor?

If you have ever felt such symptoms or you are worried about your cardiovascular health regarding angina, it is wise to consult a cardiologist sooner. A cardiologist will evaluate your health state to prevent and treat such dangerous condition.

Symptoms And Diagnosis

Learn about common heart symptoms and essential diagnostic methods to better understand and protect your heart health.