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Angina (angina pectoris) is a symptom of cardiac ischaemia and occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of blood, and therefore, oxygen. Angina is usually caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the process of atherosclerosis.
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Without oxygen, the heart muscle cannot function normally. This lack of oxygen is usually felt as pain or discomfort. Angina is not a heart attack; the pain of angina does not mean that the heart has suffered permanent damage.
Angina usually starts in the centre of the chest and may be felt as chest pain or discomfort. It may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw or back. Angina can occur at rest, but often occurs when the heart needs more blood, such as during physical exertion, strong emotions or extreme temperatures. Angina is usually one of the first symptoms of CAD. It may be accompanied by shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating, nausea or a sense of doom.
Angina may be classified as stable or unstable. Stable angina is relatively predictable and is often triggered by physical exertion, or emotional or mental stress. In unstable angina, the attacks appear to occur spontaneously, often at rest and are unrelated to specific triggers. Some cases of unstable angina are caused by spasm of the coronary arteries.
