Angina, or angina pectoris, is the term used to describe symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD), which include pressure, squeezing, tightness, or pain in the chest, and pain in the arms, neck and jaw. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 7 million people in the United States suffer from angina. There are several types of angina. Not all symptoms must be present for an angina episode, and additional symptoms, like nausea, weakness, lightheadedness and vomiting, can occur. It is extremely important to have angina symptoms checked by a doctor.
Stable Angina
Stable angina is the most common form of angina, and results from exertion, when the heart works harder. Stable angina follows a pattern, like happening after certain activities such as running or climbing, so predicting an episode is possible. Medication can help. The pain usually goes away quickly with medication or rest. It is not a heart attack but can mean a heart attack is likely at some point.
Unstable Angina
Unstable angina does not appear to follow a pattern and cannot be predicted. It occurs with or without exertion, and might begin suddenly, without warning. Neither medication nor rest might help. Unstable angina episodes can last as long as a half-hour or longer, and is a sign that a heart attack might happen soon, so emergency treatment is recommended.
Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina
Variant angina is rare and usually occurs at rest, during the night. Medication can help its symptoms.
Microvascular Angina
Microvascular angina might be a symptom of microvascular coronary disease (MVD), recently recognized as a form mostly affecting women. Its episodes might be more severe than other angina, last longer, and are not helped by medication.
What Causes Angina Pain
Generally, angina symptoms are experienced when blood flow to the heart is reduced, by blocked arteries, arterial spasms and narrowing of the arteries. Usually, the angina is itself a symptom of CHD. Stable angina might be caused by emotional stress, exposure to hot or cold temperatures, heavy meals, and smoking. Unstable angina can be caused by emotional stress, but the entirety of its process is not yet clear. Variant angina is caused by exposure to cold, emotional stress, medicine that tightens or narrows blood vessels, smoking and cocaine. It can occur without CHD. Microvascular angina is caused by plaque in the small arteries, arterial spasms and diseased artery walls.
