Angina pectoris

Used for

stenocardia

See for

Prinzmetal's angina, variant angina pectoris

Broader Terms

coronary disorder

Related Terms

myocardial ischemia /hypoxia, pain

Scope Note

recurring thoracic pain or discomfort which occurs when a part of the heart does not receive enough blood; usually caused by exertion or excitement.

Facts

• Angina pectoris is the name given to a tight pain felt in the chest that occurs when insufficient oxygen is being carried in the blood to the muscles of the heart.
• According to the American Heart Association, angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease.
• Angina pectoris is a syndrome characterized by chest pain resulting from an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand, and is most commonly caused by the inability of atherosclerotic coronary arteries to perfuse the heart under conditions of increased myocardial oxygen consumption.
• The classic case of Angina pectoris is characterized by a stress-dependent, retrosternal feeling of pressure, lasting from seconds to several minutes; the sensation can radiate into the neck, lower jaw, left arm and back.
• The discomfort of angina pectoris is believed to be a direct manifestation of myocardial ischemia and the resultant accumulation of hypoxic metabolites.