What is Angina?

Conventional Treatment Strategies

Complementary and Alternative Treatment Strategies

Structural Strategies

Pyscho-Social Strategies

What is Angina?

Angina is a chest pain caused by an inadequate oxygen supply to the heart.

Causes

In most cases the cause of angina is coronary artery disease, resulting from the deposition of fatty plaque deposits (atheroma) within the walls of the vessels supplying blood to the heart. These vessels eventually become so narrow that the heart develops cramp when it has to work harder for example when exercising or stressed.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing angina are male sex, age, family history, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high homocysteine levels, obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms are often worse in cold or windy weather, and after big meals. Classically the pain is described as tight and constricting that may spread to the neck and down the left arm. It usually lasts only a few minutes and is relieved by rest and nitrate tablets/spray.

Tests/Investigations

Your doctor will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), during which electrodes will be fastened to your chest with sticky gel. Other tests might include a stress test, in which an ECG is taken whilst walking on a treadmill or exercise bike and a coronary angiogram that involves an injection of dye into the blood circulation and x-ray pictures of the veins in and around your heart.

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