Unstable Angina
Alternate Names : Unstable Angina Pectoris
Unstable angina is a condition more serious than
stable angina and less serious than an actual heart
attack. Stable angina is chest
pain from a temporary decrease in oxygen to the heart that is caused
by exertion and goes away with rest. A heart attack is a prolonged decrease in
oxygen to the heart that results in permanent damage to the heart.
What is going on in the body?
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the
arteries, is a condition in which fatty deposits, or 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 and discomfort known as
angina.
Unstable angina occurs when the narrowing becomes so severe that not enough
blood gets through to keep the heart functioning normally, even at rest.
Sometimes the artery can become almost completely blocked. With unstable
angina, the lack of oxygen to the heart almost kills the heart tissue.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The factors that increase the risk of unstable angina include:
cigarette smoking
high blood pressure
high blood cholesterol
male gender
increasing age
diabetes
lack of exercise
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