SIHD and angina Flashcards
What is angina ?
A discomfort in the chest and or adjacent areas associated with myocardial ischaemia but without myocardial necrosis
What is the most common cause of angina ?
Coronary atheroma
What are the most common ways coronary blood flow to the myocardium is reduced ?
Obstructive cornonary atheroma (v common)
Spasm of a portion of cornonary artery (uncommon)
Abnormal coronary flow (uncommon)
What are the uncommon reasons for having stable angina ?
Uncommonly due to reduced O2 transport:
- anaemia of any cause
Uncommonly due to the pathologically increased myocardial O2 demand:
- LVH caused by years of persistant hypertension, significant aortic stenosis or
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Thyrotoxicosis
What is essential in the history of angina ?
Characteristics of pain to differenciate from other causes of chest pain
Where is the site of angina usually ?
Retrosternal
What is the character of chest pain usually ?
Often tight band/pressure/heaviness
Where does the pain usually radiate ?
Neck and jaw and down arms
What are the aggravating factors of chest pain ?
Exertion
Emotional stress
What is the releveling factors of anginal chest pain ?
Rapid improvement with GTN
Physical rest
What are the features that make it less likely to be angina ?
Sharp/stabbing pain: pleuritic or pericardial Associated with body movements or respiration Very localised Superficial with or without tenderness No pattern to pain Begins some times after exercise Lasting for hours
What symptoms on exertion is often assocaited with myocardial ischameia with no chest pain ?
Breathlessness on exertion
Excessive fatigue on exertion for activity undertaken
Near syncope on exertion
What are the differential diagnosis of chest pain ?
Cardiovascular causes: - aortic dissection, pericarditis Respiratory: - pneumonia - pleurisy - peripheral pulmonary emboli Musculoskeletal: - cervical disease - costochondritis - muscle spasms or strain GI causes: - gastro-oesphageal reflux - oesphageal spasm - peptic ulceration - biliary colic - cholecystitis - pancreatitis
What does a CCS score of I mean ?
Ordinary physical activity does not cause angina, symptoms only on significant exertion
What does a CCS score of II mean ?
Slight limitation of ordinary activity, symptoms on walking 2 blocks or >1 flight of stairs