angina
Pronunciation: an-JIE-nah
Chest pain or discomfort caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.
Full Definition
Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort resulting from inadequate coronary blood flow to meet myocardial oxygen demands, typically caused by coronary artery disease. The pain is characteristically described as pressure, squeezing, or burning sensation in the chest that may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Stable angina occurs predictably with exertion and resolves with rest, while unstable angina occurs at rest or with minimal exertion and represents an acute coronary syndrome. Variant (Prinzmetal's) angina results from coronary artery spasm rather than fixed stenosis. Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, stress testing, and coronary imaging. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications, antianginal medications, and revascularization when indicated.
Usage
Usage note: Specify type when possible (stable, unstable, variant); 'angina pectoris' is the full medical term.
In Context
- "The patient reported typical exertional angina relieved by sublingual nitroglycerin." — Cardiology consultation note
- "Unstable angina prompted urgent cardiac catheterization and revascularization." — Hospital admission summary