Angina

What is Angina?

Angina (AN-ji-nah), or angina pectoris, is a recurring discomfort that you feel when your heart does not get enough oxygen. The discomfort is usually located near the center of the chest. Angina does not feel the same for everyone. 

Angina may feel like:

  • A crushing or squeezing discomfort usually in the center of the chest
  • Chest pressure
  • Discomfort or pain in the jaw, teeth, shoulder or upper back
  • A burning feeling under the breastbone that can feel like indigestion
  • Discomfort or pain down the arms that may make the arms feel numb

Causes

Blockage: The most common cause of angina is fatty deposits (plaque) inside one or more of the coronary (KOHR-oh-nar-ee) arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart. The disease that causes fatty deposits to narrow arteries throughout the body is called atherosclerosis (ath-er-oh-skle-ROH-sis). Atherosclerosis usually starts early in life and builds up over time. Everyone has atherosclerosis to some degree by middle age. When the narrowed arteries are not able to deliver enough oxygen rich blood to meet your heart's needs, angina is felt. The fatty deposits alone can cause angina. Also, a blood clot can form on the rough fatty deposits and block the arteries even more. Atherosclerosis is also called "hardening of the arteries".arteries

 

Spasm

Sometimes a coronary artery can spasm (suddenly tighten) and cause angina. Most people that experience coronary artery spasms, have fatty deposits as well. Sometimes people have spasms even when they do not have fatty deposits. It is not known what causes coronary artery spasms.

 

Other causes

Other medical problems can cause angina or make it worse. For example, heart valve disease, an enlarged heart, or very high blood pressure may cause angina symptoms. Inflammation (swelling), infection, anemia (iron-poor blood) and blood clots can also cause angina. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions about what is causing your angina.

Diagnosis

Usually your doctor can accurately diagnose angina from your description of symptoms.

Angina symptoms:

  • Face may be pale
  • Forehead may become sweaty 
  • May experience shortness of breath 
  • Pulse may become rapid 
  • Blood pressure may elevate 
  • Eating may have no affect or may cause pain to intensify  

But, your doctor may recommend an exercise test or thallium stress test. These techniques allow doctors to diagnose patients who are suffering from angina, but are not exhibiting the symptoms.