Angina pectoris is chest pain due to myocardial
ischemia. Angina pectoris literally means "choking in the chest." It
is caused when not enough oxygen reaches the myocardium. The characteristics
of angina-related pain are described as follows:
brought on by exercise, stress or cold weather
possible radiation of pain to jaw, arm or upper back
sudden onset
usually relieved with rest within 3-5 minutes and/or nitroglycerin
Angina occurs when a person with atherosclerosis
exerts or is stressed. The heart muscle does not
receive adequate blood flow and thus it becomes ischemic.
Anaerobic metabolism begins and produces lactic acid and carbon dioxide.
The accumulation of lactic acid and carbon dioxide
in the myocardium causes pain. This process generally
does not occur when the patient is at rest. It often
occurs when the workload of the heart increases due
to exercise, exertion or stress.
There is typically a regular pattern to stable angina. It can be triggered by physical exertion, stress or cold weather. The pain can radiate to the jaw or arm. The pain usually goes away in a few minutes with rest or nitroglycerin.
Acid reflux (heartburn), lung infection and lung inflammation can be confused with angina.
Assessment of Angina
Onset
sudden
Provocation
physical exertion, stress, cold weather, relieved
by rest