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Living with Angina
You can find all the necessary information to understand angina, its global impact, its causes and consequences, and how to get angina under control.
Angina

What is Angina ?

what is angina illustration

Angina, also called angina pectoris, is a type of chest pain or discomfort caused by an imbalance between what your heart needs in oxygen (oxygen demand) and what your heart receives in oxygen (oxygen supply). In other words, it’s when your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.


It feels like pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort in your chest but can also express itself in your arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or tummy.

Time Chrono

discomfort:≤ 10 min

in the majority of cases (a few minutes or less)

icon Flash Heart

Chest Pain

Lasts a few seconds2

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Did you know?

1.6%

of the world's population is living with angina3
In Western countries:

30 000 - 40 000 people

per million have chronic stable angina4

What are the 4 types of angina?1,5

there are 4 types of angina that can be diagnosed

1.
Stable Angina

what is the cause?

Usually caused by fatty deposits (also called atherosclerosis) in your arteries or blood clots partially reducing the blood flow to your heart

is there a triggering factor?

Happens because of a trigger (physical activity, emotional stress, heavy meal etc)

is it predictable?

Yes

how is it relieved?

By rest or angina medicines

how long does it last?

<2-10 min
2.
Unstable Angina
(medical mergency)

what is the cause?

Usually caused by fatty deposits (also called atherosclerosis) in your arteries or blood clots partially reducing the blood flow to your heart

is there a triggering factor?

Happens with or without a trigger (even at rest)

is it predictable?

No

how is it relieved?

Can continue despite resting or medicines

how long does it last?

Can continue despite resting or medicines
3.
Microvascular Angina

what is the cause?

Caused by spasms in the small arteries reducing the blood flow to your heart

is there a triggering factor?

Happens with or without a trigger (even at rest)

is it predictable?

No

how is it relieved?

Lasts longer than other types of angina

how long does it last?

Can continue despite resting or medicines
4.
Variant Angina
(also called Prinzmetal angina)

what is the cause?

Caused by a sudden spasm in the arteries of your heart reducing the blood flow to your heart

is there a triggering factor?

Usually happens between midnight and early morning while you are at rest

is it predictable?

Yes (usually)

how is it relieved?

'Usually <15 min' TEST

how long does it last?

By angina medicines
1 | 4

What does it look like in your blood vessels?

1
blood vessel image

Coronary artery disease

Fatty deposits in the artery

2
blood vessel image

Stable and unstable angina

Fatty deposits in the artery or blood clots partially reducing the blood flow to the heart

3
blood vessel image

Microvascular angina and variant angina

Spasms reducing the blood flow to the heart

4
blood vessel image

Heart attack

Obstruction caused by fatty deposits and blood clots

Important
If you experience any chest pain, STOP whatever you are doing and follow you doctor's advice!

What are the multiple faces of angina?1,6

Depending on the type of angina you have been diagnosed with and your risk factors, the symptoms vary from person to person in terms of location, frequency, and severity. Chest pain, chest tightness/heaviness, and fatigue are the main symptoms.

Most common symptoms

67.3%

CHEST TIGHTNESS/HEAVINESS

57.1%

CHEST PAIN

55.0%

FATIGUE

50.0%

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Other symptoms

30.9%

STRESS / ANXIETY / DEPRESSION

16.3%

STRONG SWEAT

22.8%

ARRHYTHMIA / TACHYCARDIA

12.6%

JAW/NECK PAIN

22.6%

ARM PAIN

7.7%

NAUSEA/VOMITING

18.9%

DIZZINESS

Light bulbDid you know?

Only 2.7%

of angina patients can describe their angina symptoms in detail spontaneously7

Up to 25%

of patients with monthly angina do not discuss chest discomfort and physical limitations with their doctor8
Angina can express itself in many ways. Always tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, even if they don’t bother you too much.

Myth or fact?

Is the following statement a myth or a fact? Try to find the right answer!

ANGINA IS NOT A COMMON SYMPTOM.

A HEART ATTACK IS NOT ALWAYS THE REASON FOR MY CHEST PAIN.

Because I have diabetes, I will have angina.

CHEST PAIN IS THE ONLY SYMPTOM OF ANGINA.

EXERCISE IS TOO RISKY IF I HAVE ANGINA.

BECAUSE I HAVE ANGINA IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK

IT IS IMPORTANT TO MANAGE ANGINA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

1 | 8

Show references

References

2
Knuuti J et al. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(3):407-477.
3
Vos T et al. Lancet.2012;380(9859):2163-2196.
4
Ferrari R et al. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(2):120-132.
6
Ambrosio G et al. Angiology. 2019;70(5): 397-406.​
7
Berliner D et al. J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(suppl 15):S1777-S1784.
8
Alexander KP et al. Interact J Med Res.2016;5(2):e12.
9
Qintar M et al. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes.2016;2(3):208-214.