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- What is angina?
- Symptoms of angina
- Causes of angina
- Prevention of angina
- Risk factors for angina
- Complications of angina
- When to see a doctor about angina
- Diagnosis of angina
- Conventional treatment of angina
- Alternative/complementary treatment of angina
- Living with angina
- Caring for someone with angina
Angina is mostly caused by underlying (and sometimes not yet diagnosed) coronary artery disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when there is an accumulation of cholesterol plaque in the coronary arteries, which is called arteriosclerosis.
The coronary arteries supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart and if these arteries are blocked or become narrowed due to heart disease and the heart is not able to get enough oxygen to work properly and the pain of angina ensues.
A less common reason for angina is due to spasms of the coronary arteries, which is due to variant angina. Variant angina can be caused by a number of factors, including cocaine abuse.
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Apart from an underlying heart problem, angina can also be caused by any of the following:
- Anaemia
- Cold temperature
- Exercise (especially if it is too vigorous)
- Fast or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
- Heavy meals
- Extreme or prolonged emotional stress
- Inflammation or infection of the coronary arteries
- Intense emotional outbursts
- Smoking
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Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
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