Angina is a heart condition that is characterized by pain or pressure sensations in the chest. It is caused by a reduction in blood supply to the heart, usually due to coronary artery disease such as atherosclerosis. Symptoms may include pain or pressure in the chest, which may spread to the shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. Angina attacks can be triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress.
The signs and symptoms of angina vary depending on the severity of the underlying coronary artery disease and the individual response to it.
Initially, symptoms may be very mild and occur only at specific times, such as during intense exercise or when a person is under emotional stress. Over time, however, symptoms may become more frequent and intense, and they may also occur during less stressful situations.
Common symptoms of angina include pain or pressure sensations in the chest, which may spread to the shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. People with angina may also experience sweating, nausea, shortness of breath and weakness.
It is important to note that the symptoms of angina can vary from person to person, and they can also vary in the same person at different times. Some people may have very intense symptoms, while others may have very mild symptoms. It is important to see a doctor if you experience symptoms of angina, as they can be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Definition and Meaning
Angina is pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest that is often caused by heart disease. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease, which is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle are blocked or damaged. Angina can be a warning sign of a heart attack or stroke. There are different types of angina, each with different causes and symptoms.
If the heart is not getting enough oxygen, it can cause damage to the heart muscle and lead to serious complications. When the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart are blocked or damaged, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen to function properly. This can lead to angina, a pain or pressure in the chest that is often caused by heart disease.
If the lack of oxygen continues, it can lead to a heart attack, which is the death of parts of the heart muscle due to lack of blood supply. A heart attack is often caused by a sudden blockage of a coronary artery, which prevents blood from flowing normally to the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack usually include severe chest pain, heart palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath and dizziness.
Synonyms
It can be interesting to know the different terms used to describe angina because it can help you understand medical information and discussions with healthcare professionals. Here is a list of commonly used synonyms to describe angina.
- Chest pain
- Chest pain of probable cardiac origin (PCOD)
- Angina
- Myocardial ischemia
- Angina attack
- Coronary angina
- Unstable angina
- Unstable angina
- Atypical angina
- Stable angina pectoris
- Unstable angina pectoris
- Chronic angina pectoris
- Angina pectoris with effort
- Atypical angina pectoris
- Angina pectoris triggered by rest
- Exercise-induced angina
It is important to note that these terms are all used to describe angina, but they may have slightly different nuances in terms of symptoms, severity and treatment. It is important to see a doctor if you have symptoms of angina and to discuss all the terms used to describe your condition with your doctor to fully understand your condition and the best treatment plan for you.
Usage
The term "angina" is used to describe chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest that is caused by a reduced blood supply to the heart.
Common signs and symptoms of angina include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- This is the main symptom of angina. The pain may feel like pressure, tightness, burning or aching in the chest. It may spread to other parts of the body, such as the shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. These symptoms can occur when blood flow to the heart is reduced due to blocked coronary arteries. Because there is less blood and oxygen available to the heart, chest pain is felt.
- A feeling of shortness of breath
- When the heart does not get enough blood and oxygen, it can become difficult to breathe. Shortness of breath can also occur when chest pain causes anxiety or panic, which can cause rapid, shallow breathing.
- Sweating
- Excessive sweating or cold sweat may accompany chest pain. When the body reacts to chest pain, it may release adrenaline, causing a "fight or flight" response.
- Nausea
- Nausea or vomiting can occur when chest pain is associated with digestive problems such as blood vessel spasms or high blood pressure.
- Weakness
- Feeling weak or tired can occur when chest pain is associated with underlying coronary artery disease, which can cause fatigue and weakness. It can also be caused by the "fight or flight" response which can cause the body's energy reserves to be depleted.
It is important to note that these symptoms can vary from person to person and they can also vary in the same person at different times. Some people may have very intense symptoms, while others may have very mild symptoms. It is important to see a doctor if you experience symptoms of angina, as they can be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Examples
Angina is a medical term used to describe pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest area, often caused by heart disease. There are different types of angina, each with different causes and symptoms.
Stable angina
A common example of angina is stable angina, which is caused by a reduction in blood supply to the heart muscle. Symptoms usually include pain or pressure in the chest that may spread to the shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. People with stable angina may also experience fatigue, shortness of breath or sweating.
Unstable angina
Another type of angina is unstable angina, which is caused by a sudden blockage of the coronary arteries. Symptoms of unstable angina are usually more severe and more frequent than those of stable angina, and may include severe chest pain, heart palpitations and dizziness. People with unstable angina also have an increased risk of heart attack.
In short, angina is a term used to describe pain or pressure in the chest caused by heart disease. There are different types of angina, each with different causes and symptoms, so it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms are suspected to avoid potential complications.
Conclusion
Angina is a medical term used to describe chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest that is caused by reduced blood supply to the heart. It is generally used to describe the symptoms of stable coronary artery disease which is usually caused by stress or exertion. However, there are other forms of angina that can be triggered by different causes.
It is important to note that angina is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart attack, heart failure and cardiac arrest. Therefore, it is important to consult a physician if you experience symptoms of angina to determine which form of angina you have and to adopt an appropriate treatment plan.
Knowing the different terms used to describe this disease is important for understanding medical information and discussions with healthcare professionals. Therefore, understanding the use and meaning of the term angina is important to effectively manage this disease.
Appendices
Bibliographic references.
- Martha Gulati, Phillip D. Levy, Debabrata Mukherjee, Ezra Amsterdam, Deepak L. Bhatt, Kim K. Birtcher, Ron Blankstein, Jack Boyd, Renee P. Bullock-Palmer, Theresa Conejo, Deborah B. Diercks, Federico Gentile, John P. Greenwood, Erik P. Hess, Steven M. Hollenberg, Wael A. Jaber, Hani Jneid, José A. Joglar, David A. Morrow, Robert E. O'Connor, Michael A. Ross, and Leslee J. Shaw: October 28, 2021 "2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines" https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001029 [Last accessed January 12, 2023]
- Ranya N. Sweis and Arif Jivan: June 2022 "Angina" https://www.merckmanuals.com/fr-ca/professional/troubles-cardiovasculaires/coronaropathie/angor [Last accessed January 12, 2023]