Men’s Health: What is Angina?

Angina is discomfort in the chest that occurs when there is not enough blood oxygen flowing to an area of the heart muscle. In the majority of cases, the lack of blood supply occurs when the coronary arteries have become narrowed due to arteriosclerosis.

Symptoms of angina include tightening, pressure, aching, squeezing or heaviness across the chest and behind the breastbone. The pain often spreads to the back, jaw, arms or neck. Weakness, heartburn, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, cramping and indigestion can also occur along with it.

Angina usually occurs after a heavy meal or during exertion or emotional stress. During these times, the heart muscle needs more blood oxygen than the coronary arteries can give. Angina typically lasts 1-15 minutes and can be relieved by rest or by taking a nitroglycerin tablet, which helps lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels.

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of angina, and it is important to establish the diagnosis of angina because people with angina are at risk of having a heart attack.

Angina can be diagnosed by administering an electrocardiogram (EKG) or an exercise stress test.

If for some reason a patient cannot undergo an exercise stress test, medications can be injected intravenously in order to simulate the stress on the heart that is brought on by exercise.

In some cases, stress echocardiography may be done, which is more accurate than an exercise stress test for detecting coronary artery disease.

Cardiac catheterization is another option, which is a technique that allows x-rays to be taken of the coronary arteries.

Other treatment options for angina include medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, as well as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

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