LEARN MORE ABOUT HEART DISEASE |
Angina literally means, "choking pain," and angina pectoris refers to a painful or uncomfortable sensation in the chest that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen due to disease in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. The word "coronary" means a crown and is the name given to the arteries that circle the heart like a crown. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease.
Coronary heart disease develops when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the blood to the heart become narrower than they used to be, due to blockage caused by cholesterol and other fat-like substances (called plaque) in the arteries, affecting the blood flow to the heart muscle. This inadequate blood supply can damage heart muscle.
Plaque buildup narrows and hardens the blood vessel, a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Eventually these plaque deposits can build up to significantly reduce or block blood flow to the heart. A person may experience chest pain or discomfort from inadequate blood flow to the heart, especially during exercise when the heart needs more
Angina is the body's warning sign that the heart is being overworked. It can be experienced in a variety of ways.
- Angina usually manifests as a feeling of pain, pressure, or tightness in the middle chest, especially behind the sternum (breastbone).
- The sensation may spread to the left shoulder, arm, and hand, or to the neck, throat, and jaw.
- The attack typically lasts for only a few minutes
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