Angina Pectoris: Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatment Tips
Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, typically due to coronary artery disease. It’s often a symptom of an underlying heart condition where the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood, especially during physical exertion or stress. ### Key Points: - **Types**: - **Stable angina**: Predictable, triggered by exertion or stress, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Usually brief (a few minutes). - **Unstable angina**: Unpredictable, occurs at rest or with minimal activity, longer-lasting, and may signal a heart attack risk. Requires urgent medical attention. - **Variant (Prinzmetal’s) angina**: Caused by coronary artery spasm, often at rest, and can occur in people with less severe artery narrowing. - **Microvascular angina**: Due to dysfunction in the heart’s smaller blood vessels, often harder to diagnose. - **Symptoms**: - Chest pain, pressure, tightness, ...