What does it mean when your doctor says you have angina?
What does it mean when your doctor says you have angina?
Diagnosis. Angina is a symptom of an underlying heart problem, usually coronary heart disease (CHD). The type of angina pain you have can be a sign of how severe the CHD is and whether it’s likely to cause a heart attack. If you have chest pain, your doctor will want to find out whether it’s angina.
What is Prinzmetal angina?
Learn about an unstable form of angina called Prinzmetal angina. Blood clots that block an artery partially or totally are what causes unstable angina. Blood clots may form, partially dissolve, and later form again and angina can occur each time a clot blocks blood flow in an artery.
What are the treatment options for unstable angina?
Medical procedures and surgery. This procedure improves blood flow in your heart, reducing or eliminating angina. Angioplasty and stenting is a good treatment option if you have unstable angina or if lifestyle changes and medications don’t effectively treat your chronic, stable angina.
How does ischemic heart disease cause angina?
Two types of ischemic heart disease can cause angina. Coronary artery disease happens when plaque builds up inside the large arteries that supply blood to the heart. This is called atherosclerosis. Plaque narrows or blocks the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Sometimes plaque breaks open and causes blood clots to form.
What is the difference between angina and MVD?
Angina (Chest Pain) Angina can also be a symptom of coronary microvascular disease (MVD). This is heart disease that affects the heart’s smallest coronary arteries and is more likely to affect women than men. Coronary MVD also is called cardiac syndrome X and non-obstructive CHD. Learn more about angina in women.
What is the difference between unstable and microvascular angina?
Unstable angina is a medical emergency, since it can progress to a heart attack. Medical attention may be needed right away to restore blood flow to the heart muscle. Microvascular angina is a sign of ischemic heart disease affecting the tiny arteries of the heart.
What is the most serious complication of angina pectoris?
Complications. The chest pain that occurs with angina can make doing some normal activities, such as walking, uncomfortable. However, the most dangerous complication is a heart attack. Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include: Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
