Angina (Angina Pectoris)

Overview

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It is commonly a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), where the arteries supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked.

Angina usually occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, especially during physical activity or emotional stress when the heart works harder. The pain may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or tightness in the chest.

At Moolchand Hospital, patients experiencing chest pain receive prompt evaluation and advanced cardiology care. As a trusted multi super speciality hospital in Delhi, the hospital provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for heart diseases.

What is Angina?

Angina occurs when the heart muscle temporarily receives insufficient oxygen due to reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries.

Although angina itself is not a disease, it is an important warning sign of underlying heart disease. The reduced blood supply typically results from fatty deposits (plaques) narrowing the coronary arteries.

Angina can occur in several forms:

• Stable Angina – predictable chest pain during exertion
  
  

• Unstable Angina – sudden or worsening chest pain, a medical emergency
  
  

• Variant (Prinzmetal’s) Angina – caused by coronary artery spasms
  
  

• Microvascular Angina – related to small vessel dysfunction
  
  

Symptoms of Angina

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain or pressure
  
  

• Tightness, heaviness, or burning sensation in the chest
  
  

• Pain that may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back
  
  

• Shortness of breath
  
  

• Fatigue
  
  

• Nausea or sweating in some cases
  
  

Angina symptoms often occur during physical activity, stress, or after heavy meals.

Causes of Angina

The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, where plaque buildup narrows the arteries supplying the heart.

Other causes may include:

• Coronary artery spasm
  
  

• Microvascular disease affecting small coronary vessels
  
  

• Severe anemia
  
  

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  
  

• Heart valve disorders in some cases
  
  

These conditions reduce oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of angina include:

• High blood pressure
  
  

• High cholesterol levels
  
  

• Smoking
  
  

• Diabetes
  
  

• Obesity
  
  

• Sedentary lifestyle
  
  

• Family history of heart disease
  
  

• Increasing age
  
  

• Chronic stress
  
  

Managing these risk factors helps reduce the risk of angina and heart attack.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

• New or unexplained chest pain
  
  

• Chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes
  
  

• Chest pain accompanied by sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
  
  

• Sudden worsening of previously stable angina symptoms
  
  

Unstable angina is a medical emergency and requires immediate evaluation.

Diagnosis of Angina

Doctors may recommend several tests to diagnose angina and evaluate heart function, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart rhythm
  
  

• Stress test to evaluate heart function during exercise
  
  

• Echocardiography to assess heart structure and function
  
  

• Coronary angiography to detect blocked arteries
  
  

• CT coronary angiography in selected patients
  
  

• Blood tests to evaluate heart health
  
  

At Moolchand Hospital Delhi, advanced cardiac diagnostics help identify the cause of chest pain and guide treatment planning.

Treatment Options for Angina

Treatment focuses on improving blood flow to the heart and preventing complications.

Lifestyle Modifications

Patients may benefit from:

• Healthy heart diet
  
  

• Regular physical activity under medical guidance
  
  

• Smoking cessation
  
  

• Weight management
  
  

• Stress management
  
  

Medications

Doctors may prescribe medications such as:

• Nitrates to relieve chest pain
  
  

• Beta-blockers to reduce heart workload
  
  

• Calcium channel blockers
  
  

• Antiplatelet drugs to prevent clot formation
  
  

• Cholesterol-lowering medications
  
  

Interventional Procedures

In patients with significant coronary artery blockage, procedures may include:

• Coronary angioplasty and stenting
  
  

• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
  
  

These treatments restore blood flow to the heart.

Possible Complications

If untreated, angina may lead to serious complications such as:

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
  
  

• Worsening coronary artery disease
  
  

• Heart failure
  
  

• Life-threatening arrhythmias
  
  

Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent these outcomes.

Prevention Tips

You can reduce the risk of angina by:

• Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  
  

• Managing diabetes effectively
  
  

• Eating a balanced heart-healthy diet
  
  

• Exercising regularly
  
  

• Avoiding tobacco use
  
  

• Managing stress
  
  

• Attending regular cardiac check-ups
  
  

Why Choose Moolchand Hospital?

Patients trust Moolchand Hospital Lajpat Nagar for cardiac care because of:

• Experienced cardiologists and heart specialists
  
  

• Advanced cardiac diagnostics and imaging
  
  

• Comprehensive treatment for coronary artery disease
  
  

• Modern cardiac catheterization laboratories
  
  

• Multidisciplinary cardiac care teams
  
  

• Reputation as a leading heart hospital in Delhi
  
  

For patients looking for a hospital near Lajpat Nagar or a reliable private hospital in Delhi, Moolchand Hospital offers expert care for heart conditions.