Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Medically Reviewed on 8/4/2021
Doctor's Notes on What Is Angina (Ischemic Chest Pain)?
Angina (also termed angina pectoris) is a term for the temporary chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart doesn't get quite enough blood and doesn't function at full capacity. Angina is a symptom itself. The signs and symptoms of angina are temporary pain (lasting a few seconds to a few minutes) or pressure, feeling of fullness, and/or squeezing in the center the chest or in other areas such as the neck, shoulder, jaw, upper arms, or upper back.
Angina is usually caused when the person physically exerts themselves, experiences strong emotions or stress, experiences extreme temperature changes, or even when they eat a meal. Almost anything that increases the demand on the heart can trigger or cause angina.
However, not all chest pain or pressure and other symptoms of angina indicate the person has angina -- if they are first-time occurrence or if symptoms of angina last more than a few minutes, they may be helpful warning signs to seek emergency medical help to avoid or treat a heart attack.
What Is the Treatment for Angina?
In general, nitrates and beta-blockers are the first choice for treatment. Guidelines for treatment of angina include the following:
- Lifestyle changes (for example, smoking cessation, regular exercise)
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Low-dose aspirin
- Statins
- Nitrates
- Clot-preventing drugs
- Blood pressure-lowering drugs
Your doctors can establish a treatment protocol designed for you.
Heart Disease : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
QuestionIn the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Chest Pain
Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Atherosclerosis, angina, lung tumors, chest trauma, abdominal pain, and gastric reflux are just a few potential causes of chest pain. Chest pain is diagnosed by taking the patient history and performing a physical exam. Blood work, imaging tests, and an exercise stress test may be ordered. The treatment and prognosis of chest pain depends on the underlying cause. -
Cholesterol Levels: What the Numbers Mean
Blood cholesterol levels are measured by a simple blood test. Elevated LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) levels, and high triglyceride levels puts a person at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. The primary goal for a person with high triglycerides or cholesterol levels is to lower them with lifestyle changes like exercise, weight loss and diet changes to include more fiber, fruits and vegetables. -
Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol tests measure the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. The test is also referred to as a lipoprotein profile or lipoprotein analysis. The test measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Few risks are associated with cholesterol tests. -
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a condition in which a person's heart is failing and it can't pump enough blood and oxygen to the body's tissues. Sometimes people with CHF don't know they have it. Early signs and symptoms symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, and having problems breathing; especially when lying down. And, if you have breathing problems like asthma, COPD, or emphysema and you think your condition is worsening. There are four stages of CHF. There's no cure for CHF, but treatments include drug therapy, diet, and lifestyle changes to relive symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Life expectancy depends on existing medical problems, age, and overall health. -
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a tool used to assist in diagnosing heart diseases and conditions, for example, atrial and ventricular fibrillation, heart attacks, and heart failure. -
Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis is the term referring to a hardening of the arteries caused by buildup of fat and cholesterol on the artery walls. The deposits, called plaque, can eventually block blood flow. Obesity, high cholesterol, age and a number of other factors put people at risk for atherosclerosis. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and medication. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present in an individual, without any symptoms. Thus, it is called the "silent killer." Causes of high blood pressure include heart disease, kidney disease, tumors, birth control, alcohol, thyroid dysfunction, and birth control pills.Treatment of high blood pressure is generally through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary. -
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, angina, blood clot formation, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Causes of high cholesterol include heredity, age, gender, stress, and lifestyle choices. Cholesterol levels can be reduced with lifestyle changes and medication if necessary (statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, or niacin). -
High Cholesterol Management
Lifestyle cholesterol management is important to lower your risk for heart disease, which includes: heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Cholesterol management with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels in some individuals. -
High Cholesterol: Medications to Lower
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. If a person has too much cholesterol in their bloodstream, it can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol lowering medications include statins (Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Crestor), bile acid sequestrants (Questran, Colestid, WelChol), nicotinic acid agents (niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin), and fibrates (Lopid, Tricor). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking these medications. -
How to Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in the body. Diets high in fat, inactivity, and obesity contribute to high cholesterol. Some factors such as genetics are uncontrollable for having high cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels naturally with lifestyle changes such as weight loss and control, exercise, diet, and quitting smoking. If these measures don't lower cholesterol enough a person may need to take cholesterol medications. -
Statins (Cholesterol Lowering Drugs)
Statins are a class of drug prescribed for reducing blood cholesterol levels in individuals with high cholesterol. Examples of statins available include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), pitavastatin (Livalo), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Common side effects include brown, discolored urine, vomiting, muscle weakness, leg pain, muscle soreness, and stomach cramps. Drug and food interactions, warnings and precautions, and serious side effects should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.