Angina

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Angina

Angina (pronounced: an-JIE-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease.

Etymology

The term "angina" comes from the Latin word angere which means "to strangle" and pectus meaning "chest". It was first used in medical texts in 1768 by William Heberden.

Symptoms

Angina symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, pain in your arms, neck, jaw, shoulder or back accompanying chest pain, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, and dizziness.

Types of Angina

There are two main types of angina:

  • Stable Angina: This is the most common type. It happens when the heart is working harder than usual. Stable angina has a regular pattern and can be predicted to happen over months or even years. Symptoms are relieved by rest or medication.
  • Unstable Angina: This type does not follow a pattern and can happen without physical exertion. It does not go away with rest or medicine. This can be a sign that a heart attack will occur soon.

Other types include variant or Prinzmetal's Angina and microvascular angina.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of angina begins with a physical examination, a discussion of symptoms, and a review of the patient's medical history. Tests may include an Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity, a Stress Test to observe the heart's activity during exercise, and a Coronary Angiography to see the inside of the patient's arteries.

Treatment

Treatment for angina usually includes lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes, surgery. The main goals of treatment are to relieve the symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, lower the risk of future heart attacks, and improve the quality of life.

Related Terms

External links

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