Understanding Angina: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when there isn't enough blood flowing to a part of your heart. It can feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest and may spread to your shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and can be a sign of a life-threatening heart problem.

Types of Angina

There are several types of angina:

• Stable angina: The most common type, triggered by physical activity or stress and usually lasts a few minutes.

• Unstable angina: Can occur while at rest and may be a signal of an impending heart attack.

• Microvascular angina: Caused by problems with the smallest coronary arteries, more common in women.

• Prinzmetal's angina (variant angina): A rare type that can happen at night while resting.

Symptoms of Angina

Angina symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Aching, burning, or feeling of fullness or tightness in the chest

• Pressure, heaviness, or squeezing sensation in the chest

• Pain spreading to the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Nausea or vomiting

Stable angina often improves with rest, while unstable angina may not and could worsen. Unstable angina is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Causes and Risk Factors

Angina is usually caused by heart disease, specifically when plaque builds up in the arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart muscle. This forces the heart to work with less oxygen, resulting in pain. Other less common causes include pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, pericarditis, and aortic dissection.

Risk factors for angina include:

• Older age

• Family history of heart disease

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Stress

• Smoking

• Lack of exercise

• Sedentary lifestyle

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose angina, your doctor will perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms and risk factors, and may order tests such as an EKG, stress test, blood tests, imaging tests, cardiac catheterization, or coronary angiography.

Treatment for angina depends on the severity of the condition and may include:

• Medications such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, blood thinners, or statins

• Medical procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or coronary artery bypass grafting

• Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy

• Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly

It's essential to work closely with your doctor to develop an appropriate treatment plan and make necessary lifestyle changes to manage angina and reduce your risk of a heart attack.

When to Seek Help

If you experience new or unusual chest pain and think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Prompt treatment is crucial to minimize damage to your heart.

For more information on angina, visit the American Heart Association, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, or consult with your healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

Recognizing the difference between stable and unstable patterns is crucial since unstable episodes require emergency care to prevent heart attack. Quick-acting nitroglycerin and proper medication management can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. If you're experiencing chest discomfort or related symptoms, Doctronic can help you understand when to seek immediate care versus routine follow-up.