The body requires an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly. The heart is the organ that supplies oxygen throughout the body, through blood vessels. When the blood vessels are obstructed and blocked, a condition known as angina arises, which causes a decreased amount of oxygen and nutrients to be transported. According to The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, there are 7 million Americans living with angina. Angina can be divided into three classes, namely, stable angina, unstable angina and Prinzmetal's variant angina.
Stable Form of Angina
The stable form of angina is the most common type of angina. This is commonly seen in smokers, and patients suffering from hypertension, as these conditions cause obstruction in the blood vessels. As the body's demand for oxygen increases, the consequence of this obstruction becomes evident as there is a decreased availability of blood and oxygen. Patients complain of chest pain, which can last for as short as 30 seconds to as long as 30 minutes. Medications can be given which bring relief to the patient by expanding the diameter of the blood vessel, thus increasing blood flow. The chest pain can also disappear during rest.
Unstable Form of Angina
This form of angina is not as common as the stable form. It is seen in more severe cases, where there is tremendous blockage in the blood vessels. It is also seen in cases where rupture occurs from the fatty deposits in the walls of the blood vessels. It can occur at any time, during strenuous exercise, or at rest. Unstable angina is an urgent situation as it can get further complicated and result in a heart attack.
Prinzmetal Form of Angina
There is a form of angina experienced at night, which can be disruptive to sleep. This form is known as Prinzmetal's Angina. In this condition, vasospasm occurs, which is the narrowing of the coronary blood vessels, rather than the buildup of fatty deposits in the artery walls. Medications can be administered that can reduce or stop the heart spasms.
