What Is Angina Pectoris?

Angina-Overview

Angina pectoris (angina for short) is a condition characterized by chest pain due to a temporary lack of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The inadequate blood flow is caused by narrowed coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. A bout of angina pectoris is not a heart attack, but it can mean that you're more likely to have a heart attack than someone who doesn't have the condition.

There are three types of angina. Each type has different symptoms and treatment options. Stable angina occurs when the heart is working harder than usual and generally goes away with rest; unstable angina is dangerous and requires emergency treatment; variant angina occurs at rest and can be relieved by medicine.

(Click Angina to read the full eMedTV article about angina pectoris, including detailed information on its causes, symptoms, and triggers.)