Final answer:
Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries in the heart, signaling inadequate oxygen to heart muscle cells. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease, including stable and unstable angina subtypes, and focuses on symptom relief and atherosclerosis progression control.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Is Angina?
Angina is a medical condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition is often a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), or heart disease. It is particularly caused by a partial blockage of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of plaque—a combination of cholesterol, fatty substances, and other cellular waste products—leading to atherosclerosis. Among CAD, angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are common outcomes.
Symptoms of Angina may include pain in the chest, back, neck, shoulders, or jaw. Some individuals experience shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea alongside chest discomfort. These symptoms are typically triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress and often improve with rest. Angina is classified into two types: stable angina, which follows a predictable pattern and occurs during physical activity or stress, and unstable angina, which can occur unexpectedly and is more severe and long-lasting.
Treating angina involves strategies to relieve symptoms and control the progression of atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgical interventions are part of the comprehensive management intended to prevent serious complications such as myocardial infarction or heart attack. Awareness and understanding are critical since coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the first manifestation may be a heart attack in some cases.
Patients experiencing the pain of angina pectoris are essentially alerting that their heart muscle fibers require more oxygen than they are getting. It is vital to address the underlying causes and make the necessary lifestyle and medical adjustments to reduce the risk of a significant coronary event.