Angina: Types and Diagnosis

Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. In your chest, you may feel pressure or a squeezing sensation. In addition to your shoulders, arms, neck, mouth, belly, and back. You may experience discomfort in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, abdomen, and back. This pain might mimic the symptoms of dyspepsia. Furthermore, some persons do not experience pain but do have other symptoms such as shortness of breath or weariness. An “anginal equivalent” occurs when these symptoms are caused by a shortage of oxygen to the heart muscle.

Angina, on the other hand, is not an illness. This type of illness is a sign of a heart condition, most commonly coronary heart disease (CHD). Or coronary artery disease (CAD). There are several forms of this illness, including stable, unstable, microvascular, and angina produced by a spasm. It is in the coronary arteries (vasospastic or variant).

Ischemia, or narrowing or blocking of one or more coronary arteries, is the most common cause of this illness.

Angina can potentially be a sign of coronary artery disease (MVD). This is a type of heart disease that affects the smallest coronary arteries in the heart. And is more common in women than in males. Find out more about female angina.

There are a variety of reasons that might cause this pain, depending on the type of angina you have. The signs and symptoms of this illness differ depending on the type of angina you have.

Even though angina is very prevalent, it can be difficult to distinguish from other types of chest pain. Such as indigestion discomfort. If you’re experiencing inexplicable chest pain, consult a doctor immediately once.

Different Types of Angina

This illness is usually short-lived. Even so, it could be an indication of a life-threatening heart condition. It’s critical to determine what’s going on and what you can do to prevent a heart attack.

This may usually be controlled with medication and a change in lifestyle. You might need surgery if it’s more serious. You might also need a stent, which is a small tube that props open arteries.

Angina comes in a variety of types.

Stable Angina

This is the most widely employed. It might be triggered by physical exertion or stress. It normally only lasts a few minutes and disappears when you lie down. It’s not a heart attack, but it’s a symptom that you’re on the verge of one. If this happens to you, tell your doctor. When the heart is working harder than usual, such as during exercise, stable angina develops. It lasts about 5 minutes on average.

It follows a predictable pattern and might last for months or years. Symptoms are often relieved by rest or medicine.

Unstable Angina

This can be consumed while you are at rest or are not particularly active. The pain can be intense and linger for a long time, and it may recur. It could be an indication that you’re having a heart attack, so get medical help immediately now.

Unstable angina has no predictable pattern and frequently happens when you are at rest. It is caused primarily by atherosclerosis, which is characterized by a blockage. That prevents blood from reaching the heart.

The discomfort lasts longer than 5 minutes and may become worse over time. Rest and medication may not be enough to alleviate the discomfort.

Unstable angina may signal the possibility of a heart attack. Anyone who develops sudden angina should seek immediate medical attention.

Microvascular Angina

You have chest pain but no coronary artery blockage if you have this type. Instead, it occurs when your tiniest coronary arteries aren’t functioning properly. Preventing your heart from receiving the blood it requires. The ache in the chest frequently lasts longer than 10 minutes. Women are more likely to have this type.

Coronary microvascular disease can cause microvascular angina (MVD). The tiniest coronary arteries are affected.

A person may also experience exhaustion and low energy, sleep issues, and shortness of breath in addition to chest pain.

Microvascular angina is more likely to recur than stable angina. It usually lasts more than 10 minutes, and on rare occasions, more than 30 minutes.

Prinzmetal’s Angina (Variant Angina)

This kind is uncommon. It could happen in the middle of the night while you’re asleep or resting. The arteries in your heart suddenly tighten or narrow. You should get it addressed because it can cause a lot of pain.

Variant angina is a rare condition. Prinzmetal angina is a type of angina that occurs when the body is at rest. Usually around midnight or early in the morning.

It occurs when a spasm in the coronary arteries occurs. Cold exposure, stress, medications, smoking, and cocaine usage are all potential factors.

Although it is a long-term condition, medicines can help you control it.

Is it different in women?

Women and men may suffer angina differently, as women may feel the symptoms of classic angina differently. Some women may not have the usual sensations of chest pain or tightness. But instead, they experience exhaustion as a sign of of this illness

Women are also more likely to suffer from coronary microvascular disease. Coronary microvascular disease is characterized by blockages in the heart’s small arteries. In which can reduce blood flow.

It’s not the same as coronary artery disease. Which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries and inhibits blood flow. According to the American Heart Association, up to 50% of women experiencing angina symptom. Do not have a blocked epicardial (major) coronary artery.

Microvascular angina is a common symptom of coronary microvascular disease in women. And it can occur during everyday activities as well as when they are under physical or mental stress.

Diagnosis

A health care expert should be seen if you are experiencing chest pain. He or she will want to know if it’s angina and, if so, whether it’s stable or unstable angina. If it’s unstable, you may require immediate medical attention to avoid a heart attack.

Your health care provider will most likely conduct a physical examination, inquire about your symptoms. And inquire about your risk factors for heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. As well as your family history of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

A series of questions will be asked of you by your health care provider to rule out. One of the most serious or life-threatening situations.