Stable Angina |
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Stable angina is chest pain or discomfort
that typically occurs with activity or stress. The pain usually begins
slowly and gets worse over the next few minutes before going away.
It quickly goes away with medication or rest, but may happen again
with additional activity or stress. See also: Unstable angina Causes
Your heart muscle is working all the time, so it needs a continuous
supply of oxygen. This oxygen is provided by the coronary arteries,
which carry blood. When the heart muscle has to work harder, it needs
more oxygen. |
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Causes of Angina |
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Angina occurs when the coronary arteries are
narrowed or blocked by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis),
or by a blood clot.
The most common cause of angina is coronary heart disease (CHD). Angina pectoris
is the medical term for this type of chest pain.
Stable angina is predictable chest pain. Although less serious than unstable
angina, it can be very painful or uncomfortable. Anything that requires
the heart muscle to need more oxygen can cause an angina attack, including: |
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Cold weather |
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Exercise |
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Emotional tension |
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Large meals |
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Risk Factors |
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The risk factors for coronary heart disease include: |
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Being male |
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Diabetes |
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Family history of coronary heart disease before age 50 |
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High blood pressure |
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High LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol |
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Not getting enough exercise |
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Obesity |
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Smoking |
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Symptoms |
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The most common symptom is chest pain that occurs behind
the breastbone or slightly to the left of it. It may feel like tightness,
heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain. The pain may spread to
the: |
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Arm (usually the left) |
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Back |
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Jaw |
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Neck and Shoulder |
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Angina Is relieved with rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin.
Angina attacks can occur at any time during the day, but most occur
between six a.m. and noon. |
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
