Stable Angina
Alternate Names : Angina Pectoris
Stable angina is pain, pressure, or a sense of heaviness in the
chest beneath the breastbone. It is brought on by physical exertion and is
relieved by rest. The discomfort or pain may also be felt in the left arm or
shoulder, the neck, or the lower jaw. These are all areas of the body supplied
by the same nerve that goes to the heart.
What is going on in the body?
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the
arteries, is a condition in which fatty deposits, also called plaque, form inside blood
vessel walls. Atherosclerosis that involves the arteries supplying the heart is
known as coronary artery disease. Plaque can block the flow of blood
through the arteries. The tissues that normally receive blood from these
arteries then begin to suffer damage from a lack of oxygen. When the heart does
not have enough oxygen, it responds by causing the pain or discomfort known as
angina.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Factors that increase the risk of stable angina include:
smoking
high blood pressure
high blood cholesterol
male gender
increased age
diabetes
lack of exercise
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