Any pain or discomfort in the chest is known as angina. It may develop as a result of stress, exercise, or other health problems wherein the heart muscles stop receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is also a symptom of coronary artery disease, triggered by the excessive deposit of cholesterol along the arteries that leads to an inadequate supply of blood to the heart. Angina requires immediate medical attention, so here key facts about the condition.

What is angina?
Angina is a feeling of tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest that develops when the heart muscle does not receive a sufficient amount of oxygenated blood. The pain cannot be characterized as a disease, it is only a symptom of an underlying condition. The pain is triggered by the arteries responsible for carrying blood to the heart muscles shrinking or narrowing.

Types
Angina can be categorized into the following four types depending on the severity and cause.

Stable angina: This is the most common type, and it develops when the cardiac muscles do not receive sufficient blood during any kind of stress or physical activity.

Unstable angina: This is a more severe type of angina that can occur irrespective of any physical activity. The condition is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to a heart attack. Here, immediate treatment is required to restore the flow of blood along the heart muscles and relieve pain to avoid further complications.

Microvascular angina: This is a symptom of coronary artery disease that affects the small arteries of the heart. This type tends to be more painful than the others and can also last for a longer duration.

Variant angina: Also referred to as Prinzmetal angina, this is not a common phenomenon. It develops when there is an unexpected hardening of the muscles along the arteries. This type of angina typically develops at rest, and the pain here can be intense.

Symptoms
Angina itself is a symptom, but it can be characterized as pain or discomfort in the chest. It can be manifest as a feeling of fullness, burning, pressure, or squeezing. One may also experience pain along their shoulders, neck, arms, jaws, and back. Angina can be accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue or tiredness, vomiting, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The duration, type, and severity of the symptoms tend to differ in patients, so if one notices any signs of chest pain, they should consult a doctor and seek treatment.

Causes
Several conditions may result in chest pain, with the primary being an insufficient supply of blood to the cardiac muscles. Other causes of angina could be:

Ischemia: This is a condition that leads to a shortage of blood supply to any part of the body.

Coronary artery disease: This condition is brought on by the formation of plaques along the arteries—a process called atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease can disrupt the blood flow and supply of oxygen, resulting in angina.

Anemia: The condition is triggered by a shortage of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. It can lead to chest pain.

Heart valve disease: Here, the damage of the cardio valves can result in a restricted flow of blood to the heart.

Management options
The treatment here aims to relieve pain and prevent heart attacks. The treatment plan for angina can vary depending on factors like the patient’s age, medical history, the severity of the condition, response to specific therapies, preferences, and duration of symptoms. Some of the most common treatment options are:

Prescriptions: People with angina are often prescribed treatment to lower the intensity of pain and widen the blood vessels to restore blood flow. Prescription treatment also aims to reduce the pressure on the heart to get fresh oxygenated blood.

Surgery: Depending on the severity of pain and the frequency of angina, a cardiologist may suggest surgical procedures. Here, an angioplasty is followed by a stent placement or a bypass grafting surgery wherein the doctor utilizes a vein taken from any other body part to circumvent the shrunk arteries of the heart.

Lifestyle changes: When one experiences angina, they have to take measures to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Here, one has to make lifestyle changes like adopting a healthy meal plan and maintaining ideal body mass. Key changes include undergoing regular tests to check cholesterol levels, getting enough rest, keeping stress levels in check, and having a nutrition-rich food regimen comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins.