Chronic stable angina definition


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: ; Vijay Kunadian, M.D., Ph.D.

Overview
Angina pectoris is a sensation of chest discomfort that is often described as: a feeling of tightness, heaviness, or pain. Angina pectoris is a characteristic of coronary heart disease. When it occurs chronically, this is referred to as stable angina.

Definition of Stable Angina

 * Angina pectoris is the sensation of chest discomfort that is often described as a feeling of tightness, heaviness, or pain.
 * Angina pectoris is a sign of coronary heart disease. When it occurs chronically, this is termed stable angina. Stable angina pain is typically aggravated by exertion or emotional stress and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
 * Stable angina pectoris is a clinical diagnosis that is established by a careful assessment of medical history. As the name of the syndrome suggests, chronic stable angina pectoris is chest discomfort that has been present over months to years without substantial acceleration in the severity, provoking stimuli or frequency of the symptoms. This type of chest discomfort is caused by myocardial ischemia which is insufficient in intensity to result in permanent cell death or myocardial necrosis.

Differentiating Stable Angina from Unstable Angina and Acute Coronary Syndromes

 * If angina pectoris occurs at rest or in an accelerating pattern this is called an acute coronary syndrome and can be a symptom of either:
 * Unstable angina: An open artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart without irreversible damage
 * Non ST elevation MI: An open artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart with irreversible damage
 * ST elevation MI: A closed artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart and irreversible damage