disease
What is Angina ?
What is Angina ?
You can find all the necessary information to understand angina, its global impact, its causes and consequences, and how to get angina under control.
What does angina mean?1
Angina, also called angina pectoris, is a type of chest pain or discomfort caused by an imbalance between what your heart needs in oxygen (oxygen demand) and what your heart receives in oxygen (oxygen supply). In other words, it’s when your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.
It feels like pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort in your chest but can also express itself in your arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or tummy.
discomfort
≤ 10 min
in the majority of cases (a few minutes or less)
CHEST PAIN
Lasts a few seconds2
Did you know?
1.6%
of the world's population is living with angina3In Western countries:
30 000 - 40 000 people
per million have chronic stable angina4What are the 4 types of angina?1,5
there are 4 types of angina that can be diagnosed
1 | 2(medical mergency) | 3 | 4(also called Prinzmetal angina) |
|---|
| what is the cause? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Usually caused by fatty deposits (also called atherosclerosis) in your arteries or blood clots partially reducing the blood flow to your heart | Caused by spasms in the small arteries reducing the blood flow to your heart | Caused by a sudden spasm in the arteries of your heart reducing the blood flow to your heart | |
| is there a triggering factor? | |||
| Happens because of a trigger (physical activity, emotional stress, heavy meal etc) | Happens with or without a trigger (even at rest) | Happens with or without a trigger (even at rest) | Usually happens between midnight and early morning while you are at rest |
| is it predictable? | |||
| Yes | No | No | Yes (usually) |
| how is it relieved? | |||
| By rest or angina medicines | 'Usually <20 min' | Lasts longer than other types of angina | 'Usually <15 min' |
| how long does it last? | |||
| <2-10 min | Can continue despite resting or medicines | Can continue despite resting or medicines | By angina medicines |
What does it look like in your blood vessels?
1
Coronary artery disease
Fatty deposits in the artery2
Stable and unstable angina
Fatty deposits in the artery or blood clots partially reducing the blood flow to the heart3
Microvascular angina and variant angina
Spasms reducing the blood flow to the heart4
Heart attack
Obstruction caused by fatty deposits and blood clotsIMPORTANT
If you experience any chest pain, STOP whatever you are doing and follow you doctor's advice!
If you experience any chest pain, STOP whatever you are doing and follow you doctor's advice!
What are the multiple faces of angina?1,6
Depending on the type of angina you have been diagnosed with and your risk factors, the symptoms vary from person to person in terms of location, frequency, and severity. Chest pain, chest tightness/heaviness, and fatigue are the main symptoms.
Most common symptoms
67.3
CHEST TIGHTNESS/HEAVINESS
57.1
CHEST PAIN
55.0
FATIGUE
50.0
BREATHING DIFFICULTIES
Other symptoms
30.9
STRESS/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION
16.3
STRONG SWEAT
22.8
ARRHYTHMIA/TACHYCARDIA
12.6
JAW/NECK PAIN
22.6
ARM PAIN
7.7
NAUSEA/VOMITING
18.9
DIZZINESS
Did you know?
Only 2.7%
Up to 25%
Angina can express itself in many ways. Always tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, even if they don’t bother you too much.
Have a look at the multiple faces of angina
Myth or fact?
ANGINA IS NOT A COMMON SYMPTOM.
Myth
Although 1.6% of the world’s population is living with angina, this number is underestimated. Indeed, due to the diversity of symptoms, angina remains under-diagnosed in almost 43% of patients.3,9
ONCE I HAVE ANGINA, IT’S FOR LIFE.
Myth
Angina is definitely a chronic symptom. However, you have an important role to play in getting angina under control by taking your medication regularly, making lifestyle changes, and knowing your triggers. 1
A HEART ATTACK IS NOT ALWAYS THE REASON FOR MY CHEST PAIN.
Fact
Chest pain can be caused by several other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, or coronary artery syndrome where it is considered as one of the main symptoms for angina patients. This is why it is necessary to talk with your doctor to make the right diagnosis.1,10
BECAUSE I HAVE DIABETES, I WILL HAVE ANGINA.
Myth
Diabetes is what we call a risk factor, meaning it will increase the chances of having angina but it doesn’t mean you will necessarily get angina! You may have one or more risk factors but you can have a positive impact by making lifestyle changes.1
CHEST PAIN IS THE ONLY SYMPTOM OF ANGINA.
Myth
Angina manifests itself in different ways. Chest pain is one of the main symptoms but there are many other symptoms such as fatigue, breathing difficulties, dizziness, strong sweat, jaw/neck pain etc.6
EXERCISE IS TOO RISKY IF I HAVE ANGINA.
Myth
Intensive and inappropriate exercise can be a trigger for angina. However, doing regular exercise, in a way that is right for you and with your doctor’s permission, is important to help manage your angina. Remember not to overexert yourself! 1,2
BECAUSE I HAVE ANGINA IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK
Fact
Heart attack may be one of the complications of angina. However, you can prevent this complication by following your doctor’s recommendations and making lifestyle changes. 1
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MANAGE ANGINA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
Fact
Indeed, by taking your medication regularly, making lifestyle changes, and knowing your triggers, it is possible to act on certain risk factors (obesity, unhealthy diet, smoking etc), prevent complications, and have angina under control. 1
1 | 8
References
2
Knuuti J et al. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(3):407-477.
3
Vos T et al. Lancet.2012;380(9859):2163-2196.
4
Ferrari R et al. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(2):120-132.
6
Ambrosio G et al. Angiology. 2019;70(5): 397-406.
7
Berliner D et al. J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(suppl 15):S1777-S1784.
8
Alexander KP et al. Interact J Med Res.2016;5(2):e12.
9
Qintar M et al. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes.2016;2(3):208-214.
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The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Last modified date: 7/4/2022
