Angina occurs when the heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood for a short time. This section of the eMedTV archives provides an in-depth look at the three types of angina, their symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
The three types of angina have different causes, levels of severity, and treatments. This segment of the eMedTV Web site describes the different types (stable, unstable, and variant) and offers information on the causes and treatments for each.
People with angina risk factors, such as having high cholesterol or previous heart attacks, have a higher chance of developing angina. This eMedTV page contains a list of angina risk factors, with links for related articles on preventing these risks.
Each angina type has different causes, but all lead to a temporary lack of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This eMedTV page explains the causes of angina and lists triggers, such as physical exertion, that can increase a person's chances of an attack.
Depending on the type of angina, symptoms may vary, but typically include chest pain and discomfort. This eMedTV page lists symptoms for different types of angina, including details on how long symptoms last and available treatment options.
Symptoms of women with angina include chest pain or discomfort and shortness of breath. This eMedTV resource discusses these and other symptoms of angina and includes a link to an article with more information on the topic.
A doctor makes an angina diagnosis based on a person's medical history, physical exam, and certain tests. This eMedTV page describes the diagnostic process in detail, including common tests, such as a nuclear heart scan, and how results are interpreted.
Options for angina treatment include lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures. This eMedTV segment explains the various treatment options for this condition, including medicines and surgeries that are available.
Living with angina may not be life-threatening, but it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices to prevent heart attacks. This eMedTV segment offers tips on how to make living with angina simpler, including examples of how to control angina.
The first step in angina prevention is understanding the causes, risk factors, and triggers of the condition. This article on the eMedTV website offers suggestions on angina prevention, including tips on exercise and lowering blood pressure.
Knowing the difference between heartburn or angina symptoms can help you better handle the situation. This eMedTV resource lists signs and symptoms for both conditions and also explains how they differ from symptoms that may indicate a heart attack.
A reduced supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle will cause angina pain. This portion of the eMedTV Web site thoroughly explains the different types of pain and how treatment options, such as medicine or rest, can help relieve symptoms.
Stable angina is brought on by physical exertion when narrowed coronary arteries work harder to get oxygen. This eMedTV article further explores this condition, with detailed information on causes, symptoms, prevention methods, and more.
Unstable angina generally occurs in older adults and can be a sign that a heart attack is about to happen. This eMedTV resource describes this type of angina in detail, including information on how it is associated with heart attacks.
Variant angina occurs when there is a spasm in a coronary artery, which decreases blood flow to the heart. This eMedTV Web page takes a look at this condition and offers valuable information on when symptoms occur and how a diagnosis is made.
Prinzmetal is a rare form of angina -- a heart condition that is commonly characterized by chest pain. This eMedTV article looks at the causes and symptoms of this condition (also called variant angina), as well as treatment options.
