Angina – What is it?
Angina Pectoris “ANGINA” is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease), which occurs when vessels that carry blood to the heart become narrowed and blocked due to atherosclerosis.
An episode of Angina may start in the chest and will sometimes spread to other parts of your upper body. It may start suddenly and may last only a few minutes. Angina occurs when the heart’s need for oxygen increases beyond the oxygen available from the blood nourishing the heart, such as during exercise, exposure to extreme hot or cold conditions, windy weather, or during periods of emotional stress.
Some people experience angina after eating large meals when blood flow must increase to aid in the digestion of foods.
An episode of angina is not a heart attack.
Angina pain means that some of the heart muscle in not getting enough blood temporarily – for example, during exercise, when the heart has to work harder. The pain does NOT mean that the heart muscle is suffering irreversible, permanent damage. Episodes of angina seldom cause permanent damage to heart muscle.
In contrast, a heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is suddenly and permanently cut off. This causes permanent damage to the heart muscle. Typically, the chest pain is more severe, lasts longer, and does not go away with rest or with medicine that was previously effective. It may be accompanied by indigestion, nausea, weakness, and sweating. However, the symptoms of a heart attack are varied and may be considerably milder.
When someone has a repeating but stable pattern of angina, an episode of angina does not mean that a heart attack is about to happen. Angina means that there is underlying coronary artery disease. Patients with angina are at an increased risk of heart attack compared with those who have no symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but the episode of angina is not a signal that a heart attack is about to happen. In contrast, when the pattern of angina changes–if episodes become more frequent, last longer, or occur without exercise–the risk of heart attack in subsequent days or weeks is much higher.
A person who has angina should learn the pattern of his or her angina – what cause an angina attack, what it feels like, how long episodes usually last, and whether medication relieves the attack. If the pattern changes sharply or if the symptoms are those of a heart attack, one should get medical help immediately, perhaps best done by seeking an evaluation at a nearby hospital emergency room.
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