Overview
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. It is usually a symptom of coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque. Angina is not a disease itself but a warning sign of an underlying heart problem.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
Chest pain or pressure (often described as squeezing, heaviness, or tightness) Pain spreading to the neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms Shortness of breath Fatigue Nausea Sweating Dizziness
Angina may be classified as:
Stable angina – predictable and triggered by exertion or stress Unstable angina – occurs at rest or with minimal exertion, may signal a heart attack risk Variant (Prinzmetal’s) angina – caused by coronary artery spasm
Causes
Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis) Blood clots reducing blood flow to the heart Coronary artery spasm Severe anemia or low oxygen levels Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Diagnosis
Medical history and symptom review Physical examination Electrocardiogram (ECG) Stress testing (exercise or pharmacologic) Echocardiogram Coronary angiography Blood tests to check for heart damage
Treatment
Lifestyle changes: healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking, manage stress Medications: Nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain Beta blockers Calcium channel blockers Antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin) Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) Procedures: Angioplasty with stent placement Coronary artery bypass surgery
Complications
Heart attack Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) Heart failure Sudden cardiac death
Prevention
Stop smoking Eat a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol Exercise regularly Maintain a healthy weight Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes Manage stress effectively