Angina pectoris - causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Angina pectoris refers to chest pain or discomfort resulting from decreased blood supply to the heart muscle, often because of disease in the coronary arteries. Angina Pectoris topic is included in the class 11 chapter Body Fluids and Circulation and it gives insight into heart health and the importance of proper blood circulation. This topic is important for students preparing for competitive exams like NEET, where Biology is one of the major subjects asked. This article will discuss about angina pectoris definition, types and classification of angina pectoris.

Definition of Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris is the medical term for pain or discomfort in the chest due to an inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is often described as a pressure, squeezing, or aching sensation in the chest which can then radiate to the back, neck, arms, shoulders, teeth, or jaw. Angina is not a disease in itself but a symptom related to an underlying problem of the heart, which is usually coronary artery disease.

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Types of Angina

Understanding the different types of angina pectoris is important for the identification of its symptoms and timely treatment.

Stable Angina: It is controlled with the help of lifestyle measures and medication, and therefore, control of the amount of physical activity and managing stress are necessary for the patient.

Unstable Angina: is an acute condition that requires immediate treatment in order to prevent damage to the heart.

Variant Angina: Responsive to vasodilators, such as nitrate or calcium channel blockers.

Microvascular Angina: It can be much trickier to diagnose because of the location of the problem in the smaller vessels, and the assessment must, therefore, cover the entire complexity of symptoms and medical history.

Risk Factors for Angina Pectoris

Several risk factors cause angina pectoris, that are:

• Coronary Artery Disease: This is the most common cause of angina, generally where the arteries become narrowed or blocked.
• Hypertension: Over time, high blood pressure can damage the arteries, thereby increasing the risk of angina.
• High Cholesterol: It prevents proper blood flow in the arteries due to plaque build-up.
• Smoking: Smoking causes harm to the blood vessels and reduces the oxygen delivery to the heart.
• Diabetes: The risk of developing the disease of coronary artery increases.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Laziness at work causes no exercise, and subsequently obesity and heart disease
• Obesity: Increased body weight is a strain on the heart.

Symptoms of Angina Pectoris

Recognition of angina pectoris symptoms is an important step to ensure medical intervention at the right time. Some common symptoms include:

• Chest Pain or Discomfort: It is usually felt to squeeze or pressure.-.
• Diffuse Pain: Pain may spread to the shoulders, neck, arms, back, teeth, or jaw.
• Shortness of breath: This can be an isolated finding or be present in conjunction with chest pain.
• Nausea: Some people can experience nausea and abdominal pain.
• Fatigue: Some individuals, especially females, may experience unusual levels of tiredness that may indicate angina.

Diagnosis of Angina Pectoris

Diagnosis of angina pectoris includes the following;

Medical history: Provides an overall appreciation of signs and symptoms and risk factors

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures activities of the heart; it detects anomalies; and monitors heart performance.

Stress Testing: Tests how the heart performs under physical stress

Imaging Tests: Echocardiograms, or coronary angiography, to view blood flow through the coronary arteries.

Treatment for Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris treatment is directed towards the relief of symptoms and improvement in heart function. General treatment options are:

Lifestyle changes: Dietary, exercise, and weight loss counselling to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Medications: Nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiplatelet medications to improve blood flow and also reduce chest pain.

Surgical Therapy: Angioplasty, CABG, or other interventions are required in more severe cases to open blood vessels.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Studying Angina Pectoris for Exams

Here are some tips and tricks to prepare for the topic of Angina Pectoris:

Study Aids

Be familiar with diagrams of the anatomy of the heart and of the effect of angina pectoris. Study more on causes, symptoms, types of angina pectoris, stable, unstable and variant.

Utilize the flowcharts in mapping diagnosis and treatment options.

Mnemonics

Make mnemonics of characteristic features of angina pectoris. For instance, "CHESS" may be an acronym for Chest pain, Heart muscle, Exertion, Stability (stable angina), and Symptoms.

Practice Diagrams

Draw neat diagrams of the heart to show blood flow and areas affected by angina. Add examples to the several types of angina and their characteristics, which are questions commonly asked in any examination.

Types of Questions and Weightage for Angina Pectoris

The table below indicates the weightage and types of questions asked about angina pectoris in different exams:

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