Angina pectoris
Introduction
What is angina pectoris? Angina pectoris (stenocardia) is the result of myocardial ischemia (i.e. not the disease itself). Stenocardia (chest pain) is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease. It occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. This usually happens because one or more of the heart's arteries is narrowed or blocked, also called ischemia. Stenocardia is a clinical symptom which is characterized by pain felt right behind the sternum (retrosternal), which then expand in the pre-cordial region (around the heart) and on the left arm. The pain comes as a consequence of anoxia (lack of oxygen) of the myocardis (muscle of the heart), and subsides after the patient rests or after they take coronary-dilator medication (they expand the coronary blood vessels). Causes of angina pectoris The main and most common factor is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries (arteries of the heart). This is the case in 90% of angina pectoris cases. Other causes include: Stenosis of the ostium of the aorta Insufficiency of the aorta Rheumatic coronaritis Panarteritis nodosa of the heart blood vessels Classification of angina Stable angina (stenocardia) Unstable angina Angina prinzmetal Myocardiosclerosis
Introduction
Angina pectoris (stenocardia) is the result of myocardial ischemia (i.e. not the disease itself). Stenocardia (chest pain) is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease.
Symptoms of angina pectoris
Patients start to feel pain or discomfort: occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion; doesn't come as a surprise, and episodes of pain tend to be alike; usually lasts a short time (5 minutes or less); is relieved by rest or medicine, etc.
Causes of angina pectoris
The main and most common factor is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries (arteries of the heart). This is the case in 90% of angina pectoris cases. Other causes include: stenosis of the ostium of the aorta, insufficiency of the aorta, etc.
Diagnosis of angina pectoris
Differential diagnosis include: infarction of the myocardis, heart neurosis, paroxysmal tachycardia, acute pericarditis, etc. Patients experiencing such symptoms should immediately refer to a doctor, regardless of the severity of the pain.
Treating angina pectoris
Those suffering from angina pectoris do not have to constantly rest, except for cases in which the pain episodes are frequent and severe. These patients should however avoid great exhaustion, emotional stress and quit smoking.
Doctor - patient conversation
Patients who experience angina pain, are usually very agitated and anxious, at times pale, perspiration visible on the forehead, scared of potential imminent death. At times, patient experiences problems with urination and defecation, sometimes urinating frequently or not at all.
What is angina pectoris (stenocardia) or 'stable angina'?
t is a clinical condition which is characterized by episodes of chest pain on the left side which comes as a consequence of anoxia (lack of oxygen) of the myocardis (heart muscle). They disappear after resting, or the usage or coronary dilators.
Why does the pain occur in angina pectoris?
The pain comes as a consequence of the lack of oxygen in the heart muscle, which in turn, comes as a consequence of lack of blood circulation in the heart blood vessels (less blood circulating). The lack of oxygen triggers interoceptive nerve endings.
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