angina pectoris
Pronunciation: an-JY-nah PEK-tor-is
Chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, typically triggered by exertion or stress.
Full Definition
Angina pectoris is a clinical syndrome characterized by chest pain, pressure, or discomfort that results from insufficient blood supply to the myocardium, typically due to coronary artery disease. The pain is classically described as crushing, squeezing, or burning sensation in the chest, often radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. In cardiac rehabilitation, angina presents significant safety considerations as it may indicate exercise-induced ischemia. Exercise programs must be carefully designed to remain below the angina threshold, and staff must be trained to recognize and respond to anginal symptoms. Angina can be classified as stable (predictable, effort-related) or unstable (unpredictable, potentially indicating acute coronary syndrome).
Usage
Usage note: Use full term 'angina pectoris' in formal documentation; 'angina' acceptable in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The patient's exercise was terminated when angina pectoris developed at 6 METs." — Exercise test report
- "Sublingual nitroglycerin was administered for relief of angina pectoris during the exercise session." — Emergency response documentation