How does angina happen

There are three types of angina: Stable angina is the most common type. It happens when the heart is working harder than usual. Stable angina has a regular pattern. Rest and medicines usually help. Unstable angina is the most dangerous. It does not follow a pattern and can happen without physical exertion.

It does not go away with rest or medicine. It is a sign that you could have a heart attack soon. Variant angina is rare. Syndrome X is a group of risk factors that can lead to diabetes or heart disease. This triggers the chest pain. Blocked arteries from coronary artery disease are the most common cause of angina. Uncontrolled high blood pressure. Narrowing of the valves in the heart aortic stenosis. Enlarged heart hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Angina symptoms can vary from person to person, between men and women see below , and by the type of angina you have. The main symptoms of angina are:. Be aware Women may describe their angina symptoms differently than men. They are more likely to experience:. When to call your doctor If you have chest pain that is new, worsening or constant, seek medical care immediately. You are at greater risk of:. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and give you a complete physical exam.

They may also run tests:. Angina is often controlled with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Medication may help prevent or relieve the symptoms of angina. If medication is prescribed for you, take it exactly as directed. Angina caused by blocked arteries can be treated surgically. By widening or bypassing the affected arteries, more blood can flow to your heart.

Procedures might include:. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover after a heart attack or from other heart conditions. Rehab has two parts:. You can lower your risk of developing other heart diseases and stroke by knowing and controlling your blood pressure, diabetes and blood cholesterol. Find someone you can turn to for emotional support like a family member, friend, doctor, mental health worker or support group.

Talking about your challenges and feelings could be an important part of your journey to recovery. How is angina different from a heart attack? A fact sheet on refractory angina. A fact sheet on cardiac syndrome X. To find useful services to help you on your journey with heart disease, see our services and resources listing.

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Overview Angina is a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Coronary artery spasm: Cause for concern? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Bonow RO, et al. Stable ischemic heart disease. Saunders Elsevier; Accessed Feb. Goldman L, et al. Angina pectoris and stable ischemic heart disease. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine.

Elsevier; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Medications to manage high blood pressure may help manage angina. These aim to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, slow the heart rate, relax blood vessels, reduce strain on the heart, and prevent blood clots from forming.

Are there any natural anticoagulants? If medications do not help, other treatments include:. In some cases, a procedure is necessary. A heart specialist may recommend an angioplasty , possibly with a stent placement. Alternately, the cardiologist may recommend coronary artery bypass grafting , in which a surgeon uses a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body to bypass narrowed arteries in the heart.

Angina usually results from underlying coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. When cholesterol collects on the wall of an artery and forms hard plaques, this effectively narrows the arteries.

Other factors, including damage to the arteries and smoking, increase the risk of plaque buildup. When the arteries narrow, it becomes harder for oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart. Also, plaques may break off and form clots that block the arteries.

If blood cannot carry oxygen to the heart, the heart muscle cannot work properly. This causes angina. Angina can develop as a result of:. Angina results from a fall in the oxygen supply to the heart. For people with stable angina, the following may trigger an attack:. If the doctor believes that the issue is angina, they may recommend one or more of the following tests:.

People should receive consistent, effective treatment for cardiovascular disease and other aspects of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Angina involves sensations of pain, squeezing, or pressure in the chest, and it results from too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle.