Angina PectorisNot what you're looking for? Show
What is angina pectoris?Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when a part of your heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. It is most often just called angina. Angina can be a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). But it can have other causes.
What causes angina pectoris?Angina pectoris occurs when your heart muscle (myocardium) does not get enough blood and oxygen. Not enough blood supply is called ischemia. Angina can be a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). This is when arteries that carry blood to your heart become narrowed and blocked. This can happen because of:
There are 2 other forms of angina pectoris. They are:
Who is at risk for angina pectoris?Anything that causes your heart muscle to need more blood or oxygen can result in angina especially if you already have a blockage or narrowing. Situations that may trigger angina include:
What are the symptoms of angina pectoris?These are the most common symptoms of angina:
Angina chest pain is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking prescribed cardiac medicine, such as nitroglycerin. How is angina pectoris diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history. He or she will give you a physical exam. A healthcare provider can often diagnose angina from symptoms and how and when they occur. You may also have tests such as:
How is angina pectoris treated?Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines if you have angina. The most common is nitroglycerin. This helps to relieve pain by widening your blood vessels. This lets more blood flow to your heart muscle. It decreases the workload of your heart. You may take a long-acting form of nitroglycerin daily to prevent angina. Or, you may take it as a nose spray or under the tongue when angina occurs. Don't take erectile dysfunction (ED) medicines if you take nitroglycerin. These include sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. This can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking ED medicines. Other medicines can be used to treat angina. These include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. Beta-blockers block a hormone that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. This helps relax the blood vessels to improve blood flow. Calcium channel blockers help open the coronary arteries. What are possible complications of angina pectoris?Angina means that some part of your heart is not getting enough blood. If you have angina, you have an increased risk for a heart attack. Can angina pectoris be prevented?Keeping up a healthy lifestyle can help to delay or prevent angina pectoris. A healthy lifestyle includes:
Living with angina pectorisIf you have angina, note the patterns of your symptoms. Pay attention to what causes your chest pain. Note what it feels like, how long the pain lasts, and if medicine relieves your pain. Call 911 if your angina symptoms change suddenly. This is called unstable angina. It's important to work with your healthcare provider to treat coronary artery disease, which causes angina. You need to control your risk factors. These include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, lack of exercise, excess weight, and a diet high in saturated fat. Take your medicines exactly as directed. This is an important part of living with angina. If you take nitroglycerin, make sure to have it with you at all times. Take it as instructed whenever you have angina. When should I call my healthcare provider?Call 911 if you have any of the following:
You may be having a heart attack. Call 911. Do not drive yourself. Call your healthcare provider right away if:
Key points about angina pectoris
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Not what you're looking for? Which term refers to chest pain caused by ischemia?Myocardial ischemia is one of the more common causes of chest pain (also termed "chest discomfort") in adults. Angina pectoris, or angina for short, is the term used when chest discomfort is thought to be attributable to myocardial ischemia.
Is angina due to ischemia?Angina pectoris is the result of myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and oxygen demand. Angina is a common presenting symptom (typically, chest pain) among patients with coronary artery disease.
What type of pain is ischemia?The most common symptom of myocardial ischemia is angina (also called angina pectoris). This is chest pain (similar to indigestion or heartburn) that feels like: Chest discomfort.
What is the medical term for ischemia?(is-KEE-mee-uh) Lack of blood supply to a part of the body.
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