Angina

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Excerpt from:

 

 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html

 

Types of Angina

The three types of angina are stable, unstable, and variant (Prinzmetal's).

Knowing how the types are different is important. This is because they have

different symptoms and require different treatment.

 

Stable Angina

Stable angina is the most common type. It occurs when the heart is working

harder than usual. Stable angina has a regular pattern. If you know you have

stable angina, you can learn to recognize the pattern and predict when the pain

will occur.

 

The pain usually goes away in a few minutes after you rest or take your angina

medicine.

 

Stable angina isn't a heart attack, but it makes a heart attack more likely in

the future.

 

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina doesn't follow a pattern. It can occur with or without physical

exertion and isn't relieved by rest or medicine.

 

Unstable angina is very dangerous and needs emergency treatment. It's a sign

that a heart attack may happen soon.

 

Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina

Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs while you're at rest. The pain can be

severe. It usually happens between midnight and early morning. This type of

angina is relieved by medicine.

 

Overview

It's thought that nearly 7 million people in the United States suffer from

angina. About 400,000 patients go to their doctors with new cases of angina

every year.

 

Angina occurs equally in men and women. It can be a sign of heart disease, even

when initial tests don't show evidence of CAD.

 

Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. A heart attack, lung problems (such

as an infection or a blood clot), heartburn, or a panic attack also can cause

chest pain or discomfort. All chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

 

 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html