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Angina
What Causes Angina?
Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to an area of the heart. This is most often due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Sometimes, other types of heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause angina.
In CAD, the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle are narrowed due to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. This is called atherosclerosis. Some plaque is hard and stable and leads to narrowed and hardened arteries. Other plaque is soft and is more likely to break open and cause blood clots. The buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries can cause angina in two ways:
• By narrowing the artery to the point where the flow of blood is greatly reduced
• By forming blood clots that partially or totally block the artery.
Stable Angina
Physical exertion is the most common cause of pain and discomfort from stable angina. Severely narrowed arteries may allow enough blood to reach the heart when the demand for oxygen is low (such as when you are sitting). But with exertion like walking up a hill or climbing stairs, the heart works harder and needs more oxygen. Other causes include:
• Emotional stress
• Exposure to very hot or cold temperature
• Heavy meals
• Smoking.
Unstable Angina
Unstable angina is caused by blood clots that partially or totally block an artery. If plaque in an artery ruptures or breaks open, blood clots may form. This creates a larger blockage. The clot may grow large enough to completely block the artery and cause a heart attack. Blood clots may form, partly dissolve, and later form again. Chest pain can occur each time a clot blocks an artery.
Variant Angina
Variant angina is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery. The spasm causes the walls of the artery to tighten. This narrows the artery, causing the blood flow to the heart to slow or stop. Variant angina may occur in persons with and without CAD. Other causes of spasms in the arteries that supply the heart with blood are:
• Exposure to cold
• Emotional stress
• Medications (vasoconstricting) that constrict or narrow blood vessels
• Cigarette smoking
• Cocaine use.
