Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels) of the heart's arteries and, hence, angina pectoris.
Angina of effort, or stable angina, is the more common form of angina and occurs during periods of exercise, stress, or excitement.
What differentiates stable angina from unstable angina (other than symptoms) is the pathophysiology of the atherosclerosis.
Ranolazine (Ranexa) is a new class of anti-anginal drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Ludwig's angina is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection of the tissues of the floor of the mouth.
The increase of smoking, obesity, and other risk factors has already led to an increase in angina and related diseases in countries such as China.
On the other hand, worsening ("crescendo") angina attacks, sudden-onset angina at rest, and angina lasting more than fifteen minutes are symptoms of unstable angina (usually grouped with similar conditions as the acute coronary syndrome).
Apart from chest discomfort, anginal pains may also be experienced in the epigastrium (upper central abdomen), back, neck, jaw, or shoulders.
The term angina, which comes intact from Latin and refers to a painful constriction or tightness somewhere in the body, is also used for other conditions.
An aspirin (75 mg to 100 mg) per day has been shown to be beneficial for all patients with stable angina that have no problems with its use.
The term angina pectoris derives from the Greek ankhon, for "strangling," and the Latin pectus for "chest," and can therefore be translated as "a strangling feeling in the chest."
Angina is more often the presenting symptom of coronary artery disease in women than in men.
Unstable angina may occur unpredictably at rest, which may be a serious indicator of an impending heart attack.
Individuals with angina of effort do have an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) (Larson 2004).
Vincent's angina, or trench mouth, is an infection of the gums leading to inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration, and necrotic gum tissue.
Medication often is used to control angina or reduce risk of heart attack.
Abdominal angina is a postprandial abdominal pain that occurs in individuals with insufficient blood flow to meet visceral demands.
The largest randomized trial of an anti-anginal drug to date is the ACTION trial.
Prinzmetal's angina is a syndrome typically consisting of cardiac chest pain at rest that occurs in cycles.
Identifying and treating risk factors for further coronary heart disease is a priority in patients with angina.
Roughly 6.3 million Americans are estimated to experience angina.
Surprising perhaps is that exercise is also a very good long term treatment for angina, although only particular regimes—gentle and sustained exercise rather than dangerous intense short bursts) (Ades et al.
The main goals of treatment in angina pectoris are relief of symptoms, slowing progression of the disease, and reduction of future events, especially heart attacks and, of course, death.
In angina patients who are momentarily not feeling any chest pain, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is typically normal, unless there have been other cardiac problems in the past.
Calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine (Adalat) and amlodipine), Isosorbide mononitrate, and nicorandil are vasodilators commonly used in chronic stable angina.
Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is severe pain in the chest that is caused by restriction in blood supply (ischemia) to the heart muscle, and thus insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Alternative treatments for angina include massage or kinesiological methods, or the use of cholesterol-lowering treatments such as consumption of garlic and herbal remedies such as alfalfa, tumeric, and Asian ginseng (Larson 2004).
Major risk factors for angina pectoris include cigarette smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and family history of premature heart disease.
Most patients with angina complain of chest discomfort rather than actual pain: the discomfort is usually described as a pressure, heaviness, tightness, squeezing, burning, or choking sensation.