Angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen – usually due to narrowed coronary arteries. It causes pressure or pain in the chest, often during physical exertion. Angina is an important warning sign of an increased risk of heart attack.
What Happens in the Body During Angina?
Angina occurs when atherosclerosis narrows the coronary arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. When the heart demands more oxygen – during exertion, stress, cold or a large meal – the blood supply is insufficient and pain develops.
Angina does not mean that heart muscle is dying. It involves temporary oxygen deprivation. A heart attack occurs when a vessel is completely blocked and tissue dies – that is a different and more acute situation.
Symptoms of Angina
- Pressure, squeezing or burning sensation in the chest
- Pain radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach
- Shortness of breath during exertion
- Nausea, cold sweats or dizziness
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
Pain typically develops with exertion and eases within 2–10 minutes at rest or after nitroglycerin. Read more about angina symptoms in women – which can differ from those in men.
Types of Angina
Stable angina – triggered by exertion, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Predictable pattern.
Unstable angina – occurs also at rest. An acute condition – call 999/112 immediately.
Vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s angina) – coronary arteries spasm without atherosclerosis. More common in women.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Atherosclerosis – the most common cause
- High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol
- Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity
- Family history of heart disease
Treatment
- Nitroglycerin – rapid relief
- Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers – prevent episodes
- Statins – lower cholesterol and slow atherosclerosis
- PCI or bypass surgery – to widen or bypass narrowed vessels
- Lifestyle changes – stop smoking, healthy diet, regular exercise
Read more about heart failure – a condition that may develop from long-standing angina.
Angina and Fall Risk
Dizziness, weakness and shortness of breath during an angina episode can increase fall risk in older adults, particularly when blood pressure drops suddenly during an attack.
A Personal Alarm with Automatic Fall Detection Can Increase Safety for People with a Higher Risk of Falling
Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people with a higher risk of falling. The alarm can automatically detect falls and call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s location on a map in the Sensorem app.
