Angina

Further Information

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Angina is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease. It occurs when the blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle does not meet the demand. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the arteries of the heart.

Symptoms

Angina is usually felt as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightening, or aching across the chest, particularly behind the breastbone. This pain often spreads to the neck, jaw, arms, back, or even the teeth. Patients may also complain of indigestion, heartburn, weakness, sweating, nausea, cramping, and shortness of breath.

Risk Factors

Angina usually occurs during exertion, severe emotional stress, or after a heavy meal. During these periods, the heart muscle demands more blood oxygen than the narrowed coronary arteries can deliver. Angina typically lasts from 1 to 15 minutes.

Treatment

Medicines called nitrates are useful in preventing and reducing the frequency and intensity of episodes in patients with chronic angina. Nitrates relax the veins and coronary arteries. By relaxing the veins, they reduce the amount of blood that returns to the heart and eases the heart’s workload. By relaxing the coronary arteries, they increase the heart’s blood supply.

Medicines called beta-blockers relieve angina by inhibiting the effect of adrenaline on the heart. Inhibiting adrenaline (a naturally occurring hormone in the body) decreases the heart rate, lowers the blood pressure, and reduces the pumping force of the heart muscle, all of which reduce the heart muscle's demand for oxygen.

Medicines called calcium-channel blockers relieve angina by lowering blood pressure, and reducing the pumping force of the heart muscle, thereby reducing muscle oxygen demand.

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