Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is the leading cause of death in the US. CHD is a broad term that includes chest pain (angina), heart attacks, sudden cardiac death syndrome, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and heart failure due to a weakened heart, all caused by clogged cardiac arteries. Smoking (or using other forms of tobacco), high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, lack of exercise, and diabetes can all accelerate atherosclerosis and lead to an earlier onset of CHD.

Angina
When the coronary arteries are clogged, the heart has to work harder to push blood through the narrowed vessels. As they become increasingly blocked, the heart muscle becomes starved of oxygen, or ischemic. The result can be shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain in the chest, angina.

Symptoms of Angina
People who have angina have sensations of squeezing, heaviness, pressure, and pain. Some say it's like someone is standing on their chest.

There are three different types of angina: stable, unstable, and variant.

Stable angina

• Is triggered by exertion
• Can be triggered by emotional stress, smoking, cold temperatures, or a heavy meal
• Can usually be predicted
• Lasts 5 minutes or less
• Can feel like indigestion
• Might spread to other areas of the body

Unstable angina

• Is a change in your usual pattern of angina
• May be caused by suddenly reduced or blocked blood flow through coronary artery, or by severe anemia
• Isn't predictable
• Can occur when you are at rest
• Lasts longer than stable angina (up to 30 minutes) and is usually more severe
• May not disappear with rest or use of angina medication
• May signal a heart attack, days, hours, or weeks in advance of the event

Variant angina

• Is caused by coronary artery spasm
• Is less common than stable and unstable angina
• Can be triggered by emotional stress, medicines, street drugs (cocaine), or cold weather
• Can be treated with angina medications

More on this topic

Understanding Heart Attacks (VIDEO)
Your Heart Needs Blood
Your Beating Heart
Atherosclerosis & Cholesterol
Angina & Coronary Heart Disease
Heart Attack Symptoms
What Is a Heart Attack?
Risk Factors & Diagnosis
Treating Heart Attacks
Restoring Blood Flow
Rehabilitation

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