Angina

• Angina (angina pectoris - Latin for squeezing of the chest) is the chest discomfort that 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 coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis
• 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.

Causes:

• most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease.
• less common cause of angina is spasm of the coronary arteries.
  • Coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease develops as cholesterol is deposited in the artery wall, causing the formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque.

Symptoms:

• Usually felt as a squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightening, or aching across the chest, particularly behind the breastbone
• This pain often radiates 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.

Treatment:

• Angina typically lasts from 1 to 15 minutes and is relieved by rest or by placing a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Nitroglycerin relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Both resting and nitroglycerin decrease the heart muscles demand for oxygen, thus relieving angina.