Stable angina
Stable angina
Alternative names
Angina - stable; Angina - chronic; Angina pectoris
Definition
Angina is chest pain caused by too little blood flow to the heart muscle. The pain usually begins slowly and gets worse over a period of minutes before going away. Stable angina typically occurs when you exert yourself, and is quickly relieved with medication or rest. It is also called chronic angina.
Angina chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes or occurs with rest is considered unstable angina.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease (CAD). Angina pectoris is the medical term for this type of chest pain.
Situations that increase blood flow to the heart may cause angina in people with CAD. These include exercise, heavy meals, and stress.
The risk factors for angina pectoris include:
- Male gender
- Cigarette smoking
- High cholesterol levels (in particular, high LDL and low HDL cholesterol)
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Family history of coronary heart disease before age 55
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
Less common causes of angina include:
- Coronary artery spasm (also called Prinzmetal's angina)
- Diseases of the heart valves
- Heart failure
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Anemia
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