Angina Pectoris (chest pain)
Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain) is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis.
Angina Pectoris Symptoms
Symptoms typically start during physical exertion or emotional stress. They are often worse in cold or windy weather and sometimes after big meals.- A sense of heaviness or numbness in the arm, shoulder, elbow or hand, usually on the left side.
- Increased shortness of breath on exercise.
- A squeezing or heavy pressing sensation on the chest.
- The discomfort can radiate into both arms, the jaw, teeth, ears, stomach and in rare cases between the shoulder blades.
- A constricting sensation in the throat.
Angina Pectoris Causes
In most cases, the cause of angina is coronary atherosclerosis: the thickening of arteries that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart.Symptoms may only appear at times when your heart needs more blood supply, such as when you're stressed, exercising or climbing stairs.
This happens when fatty deposits, called plaques or atheroma, narrow the arteries over time and reduce blood flow to the heart.
As your heart tries to pump faster to meet your body's increased demands, the narrowed arteries struggle to keep up. The heart then receives too little oxygen, which causes pain in the heart that is felt as chest pain. In severe cases this can also happen when the heart is at rest.
» Learn more: Angina Pectoris
Reviewed by Dr Neal Uren, consultant cardiologist, Dr Patrick Davey, cardiologist and Dr Stephen Collins, GP
No comments:
Post a Comment