Angina Flashcards
What is angina?
Angina describes a condition marked by severe pain in the chest, characteristically radiating to the shoulders, arms and neck - due to inadequate supply to the heart
Where does angina-like pain typically radiate to?
To the shoulders, arms and neck
What is IHD?
Ischaemic heart disease is an inability to adequately perfuse the myocardium, predominantly caused by atherosclerosis of the epicardial coronary arteries.
What features are associated with typical angina?
- Precipitated by physical exertion or emotional stress
- Chest pressure or squeezing lasting several minutes
- Relived by rest of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) within 5 minutes.
- Constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, in the neck, shoulders, jaw or arms.
For patients with typical angina, the administration of sublingual GTN, will have what effect?
Relief within 5 minutes
What are the triggers for typical angina?
Precipitated by physical exertion or emotional stress.
What additional features are associated with atypical angina?
Presents with two features found in typical angina, in addition to atypical symptoms including gastrointestinal discomfort and/or breathlessness and/or nausea
What factors make stable angina less likely?
Pain that is continuous or prolonged
Pain that is unrelated to activity
Pain that is brought on by breathing
Pain that is associated with dizziness, palpitations, tingling or difficulty swallowing
What are the classifications for stable angina?
The pain or discomfort upon physical exertion to which the demands on the heart have increased
Occurs for a short period of time (<5 minutes)
Relieved by rest of GTN
How is stable angina relieved?
Sublingual GTN
Describe the period in which a stable angina presents?
For a short period of time <5 minutes
What is an unstable angina?
Occurs when individual is resting, persisting longer than stable angina
Rest or medicine does not alleviate the angina,
Progressively worsen over time –> MI
What is a prinzmetal angina?
The pain from variant angina is caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries caused by exposure to cold, smoking or stress
What type of angina is caused due to a vasospasm?
Prinzmetal angina
What investigations are considered in patients presenting with angina?
ECG
Coronary angiography
Exercise tolerance test
Lab tests (Complete blood profile, lipids, renal test, liver function tests, cardiac enzymes)
What cardiac enzyme is typically elevated in a patient with an MI/ released in response to cardiac damage?
Troponin
If troponin levels are normal in patients presenting with angina, what is indicated?
Suggestive that the symptoms and chest pain are attributed to cardiac muscle damage, and more likely that the pain is due to stable angina.
What other cardiac biomarkers are elevated in patients presenting with angina?
Myoglobin
CK-MB
BNP