Angina and Its Types

Angina is pain in the chest that occurs when the heart does not get the required amount of oxygen in the blood. Angina pain is most commonly caused due to accumulation of fats and cholesterol that block the arteries and obstruct the flow of blood. This leads to slow circulation of blood. When the blood reaches the heart slowly, the heart works harder to satisfy the body’s need for blood. This leads to spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain.

Angina pain is characterized by chest pain and tightening in the rib area and one feels short of breath. It can be called as an indication for further heart problems as heart is not performing its due functions properly.

In many cases, angina can also be taken as a warning for heart attack. It may lead to pain in other areas of the body such as jaws, shoulders, neck and arms.

Types of Angina

There are 4 types of angina:

Stable Angina

This is the most common heart condition characterized by feeling of squeezing behind the breastbone, pressure on jaws, back and arms. It is recognized after several episodes have occurred.

The level of activity or stress can almost become predictable that provokes it.

Unstable Angina

It may occur all of a sudden as a result of some activity or in bouts. It may be provoked by any thing and result from a lesser activity than before. It is quiet dangerous and needs prompt medical action.

Variant or Prinzmetal Angina

This type of angina is caused by vasospasm, a spasm that narrows that coronary artery and thus the flow of blood to the heart is lessened.

Microvascular Angina

In this kind of angina, pain is experienced but there are no artery blockages. The pain results from the poor function of tiny blood vessels that nourish the heart, arms and legs.

Causes of Angina

Almost all types of angina are caused by one or another reason mentioned here. There are various causes for angina pain.

• It can be caused by increased need of oxygen for circulation
• Intake of diet with high fat content
• Blockage of arteries due to settling of fat and clotting in blood that hampers the flow of blood and oxygen
• Exposure to emotional and stressful conditions

Symptoms

All these types of angina exhibit the same symptoms with slight variation. It is possible that a patient experiences all the symptoms of angina while others may experience only some of them. Some of the most common symptoms that are experienced in all types of angina are:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Chest pain as tightness and squeezing or burning
• Feeling of indigestion
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Fainting

Angina Treatment

All types of angina can be treated by controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels as the main reason for angina pain is blockage of arteries by fats and cholesterol. Also, weight control is important as fat and obese people are more likely to suffer from angina attacks. In this regard, physical activity is very necessary to keep your weight in check and burn the extra amount of calories you consume.

Also, it is important to avoid stress as it can be a trigger for angina pain. Apart from this, medications such as nitroglycerin and glycerin trinitrate tablets are prescribed to treat angina pain and prevent further attacks. In the same way, taking calcium channel blockers and inhaling amyl nitrate helps to treat and prevent angina.

However, if these modes of treatment do not work, surgery such as coronary artery bypass surgery or artery stent are performed to treat angina and clear the plaque or blockage from the arteries.

Changes in lifestyle, eating a healthy diet free from fats, along with physical activity can also help in preventing angina. Medicines should only be taken after consulting a doctor. It is important to control angina at early stages or it can result in additional problems. However, it may require some advanced medical treatment to help a specific type of angina pain.