Angina can be described as significant pressure, pain, heaviness, squeezing and/or tightness in the chest. There are two kinds of angina. Stable angina is recurrent; it happens predictably with exercise or exertion and is relieved with rest or angina medications. Unstable angina is unpredictable; it is new and doesn't behave as a person's stable angina had in the past. Unstable angina is not relieved by rest or prescribed medications and is an indicator of impending heart attack. Immediate help is needed. Women may have atypical symptoms of angina and coronary artery disease. It's important to speak with your health care provider if you're unsure of your symptoms.
It is important to understand the causes of angina so you and your health care provider can best choose a plan of action. Taking care of your angina may help you avoid a heart attack or other serious heart issues.
Reduced Blood Flow
Angina is caused by a reduced flow of oxygen-rich blood to the arteries of the heart, called coronary arteries. This cause of angina is typically attributed to coronary artery disease, which narrows your coronary arteries with fatty deposits called plaques. These plaques narrow the passageways for blood into the heart muscle, decreasing the available oxygen. The decrease in oxygen causes chest pain--angina.
Other Causes
Many people who experience angina have aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows. The valve then cannot open fully and causes a decrease in blood flow, leading to angina. Anemia can also be a cause of angina. Anemia limits the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood, leading to decreased oxygen in the coronary arteries and heart muscle. Individuals who have a thickened heart muscle may also experience angina. When the heart muscle is thickened, the demand for oxygen by the heart muscle increases and the body may not be able to accommodate it, leading to chest pain.
Unstable Angina Causes
Unstable angina is caused when fatty deposits in the coronary arteries--plaques--rupture and block the passage of blood to the heart muscle. This can also occur if a blood clot were to form in the coronary artery. This decreases blood flow through the narrowed artery, causing pain.
