Unstable Angina Pectoris - Pain, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and prevention of Angina pectoris

Angina a suffocating, choking, crushing pain or feeling, usually in connection with angina pectoris and felt in the chest. The pain is felt or arises as a result of exertion and subsides with rest, and occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscles is inadequate.

Causes of Angina Pectoris

• Exertion
• Emotional stress
• Eating a heavy meal
• Extreme temperatures (hot or cold)

Symptoms and signs of Angina Pectoris

Symptoms of angina appear and then may or may not disappear when the patient is at rest. The patient may have chest pain, discomfort and/or pressure, or experience referred pain – pain that is felt in the left shoulder, arm, back, or jaw.

During exercise, the demand for blood (supplied by the coronary arteries) is increased and if the supply is insufficient because of arterial disease, the symptoms of angina are triggered. The coronary arteries may be damaged by atheroma or atherosclerosis and the condition is first treated with drugs to widen them.

There are three main types of angina:

1. Stable angina
2. Unstable angina
3. Variant angina (Prinzmetal’s angina)

Treatment of Angina Pectoris

However, if angina worsens, angioplasty (coronary artery bypass surgery) may need to be performed. Men may be affected by angina in young middle age and the underlying degeneration of the arteries is linked with an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

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