Final answer:
Angina is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle because of partial blockage of coronary arteries. Symptoms include chest pressure, pain radiating to different body areas, and sometimes shortness of breath or nausea. It is categorized into stable angina, which improves with rest or medication, and unstable angina, which requires urgent medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Angina Pectoris: Causes and Symptoms
Angina is a medical condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort that is due to insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can happen when the coronary arteries, which are responsible for supplying blood to the heart, become partially blocked by the buildup of plaque—a condition called atherosclerosis. Consequently, the heart muscle becomes starved of oxygen (ischemia).
There are two main types of angina: stable angina and unstable angina. Stable angina typically manifests during physical exertion or stress and usually resolves with rest or medication like nitroglycerin. Unstable angina, however, is more serious and can occur at rest, lasts longer, and may signal an impending heart attack.
Symptoms of angina can comprise not only chest pain or pressure but may also radiate to the back, neck, shoulders, or jaw. Patients may also experience shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. The pain is often described as pressing or squeezing discomfort, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation similar to heartburn.
Treatment for angina focuses on symptom relief and slowing the progression of atherosclerosis to prevent complications like heart attacks, heart failure, or irregular heartbeats.