Stable Angina

Question 1

What is Angina?

Answer 1

Angina is symptomatic reversible myocardial ischaemia.

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles.

Question 2

What causes Angina?

Answer 2

Stenosis due to atherosclerosis

• Smoking, drinking, diet
• Atheroma
• tachyarrhythymias
• Encourage healthy eating, less drinking, less smoking and weight loss

Question 3

Angina S&S?

Answer 3

-Chest pain described as tightness
-heavy discomfort to jaw, neck, shoulders, chest, arms
-Radiating pain to arms and neck
-pain brought on by exertion
-Pain stops within a few minutes of resting
SIGNS
-pyrexia
-nausea
-dyspnoea
-faintness

Question 4

What are some S&S that suggest Angina is less likely to be the problem?

Answer 4

• Pleuritic chest pain
• continuous pain
• pain that is worse with swallowing
• pain associated with palpitations
• dizziness or tingling

Question 5

What is the difference between stable and unstable Angina?

Answer 5

Stable Angina is induced by effort and received at rest. Unstable angina is off increasing frequency/ severity and occurs with minimal exertion and even at rest. Unstable angina is associated with an MI.

Question 6

Angina management?

Answer 6

• Encourage healthy living - less smoking, less fatty diet, optimise hypertension control
• aspirin if not contraindicated
• GTN if not contraindicated