Causes
Angina is usually a sign of coronary artery disease (CAD). It occurs when the blood vessels leading to the heart are blocked. The blockage decreases the blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen you will feel chest pain and other symptoms.
Coronary Artery Disease
Stable or Unstable Angina
Angina occurs when your heart's need for blood and oxygen is increased by:
- Exercise, exertion
- Cold weather
- A large meal
- Emotional stress
Stable angina becomes unstable when symptoms:
- Occur more often
- Last longer
- Are triggered more easily
Variant or Prinzmetal's Angina
This type of angina is usually caused by a spasm of a heart vessel. It may indicate that you have one of the following conditions:
- CAD
- Extremely high blood pressure
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Diseases of the heart valves
Risk Factors
Major risk factors for CAD include the following:
- Gender: male
- Advancing age
- Strong family history of heart disease
- Obesity and overweight
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood cholesterol (specifically, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol)
- Diabetes
Other risk factors for CAD:
- Stress
- Excessive alcohol intake
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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