Understanding Stable Angina: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Stable angina, a common type of chest pain, is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It typically affects individuals with coronary artery disease, often due to factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and family history of heart disease.
Stable angina, unlike its unstable counterpart, follows a predictable pattern and can be managed more effectively. It's usually triggered by physical activity or emotional stress, causing pressure or fullness in the chest, which may spread to the neck, arms, and shoulders. Along with chest pain, symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, profuse sweating, and anxiety.
Caused primarily by atherosclerosis, stable angina is diagnosed through medical history review and tests such as electrocardiogram, angiography, stress tests, and blood tests. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, medication like nitroglycerin, and surgeries like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft.
Stable angina, while manageable, is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for those at risk, including individuals who are overweight, have heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoke, or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
