Vascular spasm

Vascular spasm

Angina pectoris often manifests as a pressing pain in the chest. Usually, the pain is not continuous but occurs in attacks or episodes. These often happen in connection with activities that increase the demands on the heart, such as physical exertion.

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Contents

Quick version

Symptoms of angina include

  • A feeling of constriction

  • Pressure or a warm sensation over the chest

  • A tightening sensation around the chest, like a band

The pain can also radiate from the chest and spread toward the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, and arms. During an attack, one may also experience shortness of breath, nausea, and anxiety. If you suspect you have angina or experience chest pain, you should contact a doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes even dilation of the blood vessels supplying the heart, to improve blood flow to the heart.

Causes of Angina

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, usually occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to reduced blood flow to the heart. This can be caused by various factors and underlying causes. The primary causes of angina include:

  • Atherosclerosis: This is the most common cause of angina. Atherosclerosis involves the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, and other substances) on the inside of the coronary arteries (the heart's blood vessels), which leads to narrowing of the vessels and reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

  • Risk factors for angina: Several factors can increase the risk of angina, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and lack of physical activity.

  • Age: Aging can increase the risk of angina, especially after 65 years of age.

  • Gender: Men generally run a higher risk of developing angina than women. However, the risk for women increases after menopause.

  • Heredity: If you have a family history of heart disease, including angina, your risk may increase.

  • Stress: Long-term and excessive stress can increase the risk of angina.

  • Other medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory diseases and rheumatic diseases, can increase the risk of angina.

  • Cocaine use: Cocaine can cause coronary artery spasms and lead to angina.

  • Anemia: Low levels of red blood cells (anemia) can reduce the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

  • Coronary artery spasm: Temporary coronary artery spasms can cause angina even in people who do not have significant atherosclerosis.

It is important to understand that angina can vary in severity.

Written by: The team at Testmottagningen.se
Reviewed by:Jenny Ehrlin, leg. läkare

Questions and answers

Common symptoms include a feeling of pressure, tightness, or warmth across the chest, often described as a "tight band." Pain may also spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms.

It is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, where plaque buildup narrows the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.

No, it usually occurs in episodes or "attacks" triggered by physical activity or emotional stress when the heart's demand for oxygen increases.

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