Angina, a form of coronary heart disease characterized by sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, occurs due to an acute shortage of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle (myocardium). It has two clinical forms: stable and unstable (progressive).
Stable angina is triggered by physical exertion. An attack of stable angina lasts less than 15 minutes; resting quietly and taking 1 nitroglycerin tablet (under the tongue) can help relieve it.
Symptoms:
Rise in blood pressure
Physical exertion
Episodic, squeezing, pressing pain radiating to the left arm, neck and jaw
Unstable angina can occur with minimal exertion (climbing stairs, brisk walking, etc.) or even at rest. Unlike stable angina, unstable angina attacks last longer; in this case several nitroglycerin tablets (no more than 3) are usually needed to relieve the attack. However, be sure to take them a few minutes apart.
Progressive angina is also called acute coronary insufficiency, pre-infarction state or intermediate coronary syndrome. It results from narrowing of a coronary artery and a resulting severe disruption of blood flow to the myocardium. The key sign of this condition is that nitroglycerin, which previously relieved the attacks, no longer works.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.