FreeMD® Angina: Types

Angina

electrocardiogram

heart catheterization

thallium stress test

cardiac rehabilitation

Underlying Cause

Types

Angina Types

Types of angina include:

Stable angina:

Describes episodes of chest pain that are caused by coronary artery disease. However, these episodes do not worsen and are easily controlled with medications.

Unstable angina:

Chest pain that does not respond to usual doses of medication, such as nitroglycerin
Chest pain that has been occurring more frequently than usual
Chest pain that has become more severe
Chest pains that last for longer than usual

Atypical angina:

Describes symptoms caused by coronary artery disease, such as nausea, weakness or sweating. However, chest pain is not present.
Atypical angina may be stable or unstable.

Prinzmetal's angina:

Describes episodes of chest pain that occur at rest, caused by spasm of the coronary arteries. The spasm narrows the artery, which reduces blood supply to the heart muscle.
Also called variant angina or vasospastic angina.

Angina Severity	Treatment Options
Stable / mild or moderate	Control of cardiac risk factors; drug therapy
Unstable / mild to moderate	Hospitalization; control of cardiac risk factors; drug therapy
Unstable / severe symptoms	Drug treatment; angioplasty; coronary artery bypass grafting

Continue to Angina Anatomy

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Last Updated: Apr 15, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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