Angina, often referred to as angina pectoris, is a type of chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Here’s a detailed overview:
Types of Angina
- Stable Angina:
- Characteristics: Occurs with exertion or stress and typically resolves with rest or medication.
- Duration: Usually lasts a few minutes.
- Unstable Angina:
- Characteristics: Can occur at rest, is more severe, and lasts longer. It may signal an impending heart attack.
- Duration: Can last longer and is not relieved by rest.
- Variant (Prinzmetal’s) Angina:
- Characteristics: Caused by spasms in the coronary arteries, often occurring at rest, and can happen at any time, including during sleep.
- Duration: Usually short-lived.
Causes
The primary cause of angina is reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, typically due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Here are the main causes and contributing factors:
