Angina - an introduction

Angina is a term commonly used to refer to pain in the chest region. It is not itself a disease, but a symptom of a disease. The scientific term for angina in the chest region is angina pectoris. The term angina pectoris originates from the Greek words 'ankhon', which literally translates to 'strangling', and pectus, which translates to 'chest'.

The term angina pectoris describes a feeling of constriction in the chest region. At this point it is important to understand that all chest pain need not necessarily be diagnosed as angina pectoris. Chest pain can occur due to a variety of reasons, from acidity to tension to an infection of the chest lining. It is therefore necessary to obtain proper diagnosis before starting treatment for angina pectoris. We will discuss about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of angina pectoris later in this article.

Angina pectoris differs from other types of angina

Angina pectoris is totally different from angina tonsillaris and Ludwig's angina. While angina pectoris and angina tonsillaris both are symptoms of pain, the difference is in the region the pain manifests in.

Angina pectoris refers to a constricting pain in the chest region, while angina tonsillaris refers to pain in the tonsils (located near the throat), and is a symptom of tonsillitis. The two are two different symptoms for two different diseases, and cannot be used interchangeably.

Ludwig's angina, also called angina ludovici, is an infection of the tissues on the floor of the mouth and is also a serious disease.

Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris, or angina, as it is commonly referred to, and coronary artery disease or arteriosclerosis are closely related. Coronary artery disease causes angina. Angina occurs in people who have some form of blockage in the coronary arteries. In other words, it occurs in people with coronary heart disease.

Angina is an indicator of myocardial ischemia. Myocardial ischemia itself is a condition where the myocardium, or the heart muscle, receives lesser blood than it actually needs, which in turn means lesser amounts of oxygen. This condition occurs as a result of arteriosclerosis, a scientific term that refers to the process of blocking or narrowing of the coronary arteries (which itself is called stenosis), the main arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Angina Symptom >>