Types of Angina
Angina can be classified into three main types as follows.
Stable Angina
It is characterized by discomfort that typically occurs in conditions associated with increased myocardial oxygen consumption such as with increased activity or stress. The pain usually begins slowly and worsens over the next few minutes. This pain is mostly relieved with rest and/or treatment but may recur again with further activity or stress. Many patients with stable angina can have a relatively normal life but in some patients, it may progress to unstable angina.
Unstable Angina
Angina is unstable if the preexisting angina worsens for no obvious reason or when new angina develops at rest or at a relatively low work load. This angina is often associated with rupture of the atherosclerotic plague and subsequent clot formation within the coronary artery. The chest pain in unstable angina may be more severe and prolonged than that of stable angina. Patients with unstable angina are at increased risk of heart attack, severe cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
Variant Angina (Prinzmetal’s Angina)
This type develops spontaneously due to spasm of a coronary artery. Variant angina almost always occurs during the periods of rest, usually at night. Many people with variant angina also have severe atherosclerosis in at least one major vessel on the heart. It can also occur in patients with heart valve disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last modified : July 17, 2009
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