Angina pectoris is an ischemic heart disease caused by the obstruction or deterioration of the coronary arteries, which prevents sufficient blood—and therefore oxygen—from reaching the heart.

Depending on whether angina occurs at rest or during physical exertion, it is classified as:

  • Stable angina: Appears during physical effort, and symptoms disappear with rest or medication.
  • Unstable angina: Occurs at rest, and the pain does not improve with medication. It should be treated urgently, as it may progress to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or sudden death.


Rest

The first step during an attack is to rest and reduce the heart rate as much as possible.


Surgery

In cases of very advanced arterial narrowing, surgery may be required.

  • Angioplasty: Involves widening the obstructed area of the coronary artery by placing a "stent," a small mesh tube that keeps the artery open.
  • Bypass surgery: A healthy and suitable blood vessel (usually taken from the leg or the lower chest wall) is connected to the ends of the blocked artery to reroute blood flow. This surgery is generally performed when there are multiple areas of obstruction.
CausasCausasCauses

Causes

Some of the causes that may lead to angina pectoris include:

  • Atherosclerosis: Arteries become blocked by plaque, a substance composed of calcium, fat, cholesterol, and other materials.
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Severe anemia
  • Other causes

Risk factors:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol abuse
  • High cholesterol
SintomasSintomasSymptoms

Symptoms

A person with this condition experiences pain or intense pressure in the chest that may radiate to the throat and jaw, back, and down the left arm to the wrist.

It is also often accompanied by anxiety, heavy sweating, and paleness.

TratamientoTratamientoTreatment

Treatment

Some treatments used for this condition include:

  • Nitroglycerin: Administered as a spray or sublingual tablet. It dilates the arteries and other blood vessels, allowing more blood to reach the heart and relieving pain.
  • Beta-blockers: Counteract the effects of adrenaline, especially on the heart, causing it to beat more slowly and reducing its oxygen demand.
  • Calcium channel blockers: By reducing the amount of calcium entering the arteries, they help decrease their progressive narrowing.
Specialties:
  • Cardiology