There are several types of angina. Learning how to identify the type you may be experiencing is a vital first step in the treatment process.
Stable Angina
Stable angina is the most common type and is also known as angina pectoris. This chronic chest pain is triggered by the same causes every time (typically physical exertion, stress, temperature extremes, or large meals). The pain always lasts the same amount of time, usually around five minutes or less. Additionally, the pain’s responsiveness to medications or rest is consistent.
If you’ve experienced these consistent patterns for at least two months, you most likely have stable angina.
Unstable Angina
Unlike stable angina, unstable angina doesn’t follow patterns. It’s unpredictable in duration and can sometimes last over 20 minutes. It’s also unpredictable in frequency and severity, and it may increase in severity with subsequent episodes.
There may be inconsistent triggers, or it may occur without triggers. Unstable angina may occur when a person is not performing any physical activities, or even when they’re sleeping. Additionally, rest or medications may not have any effect on the pain.
Unstable angina can greatly increase heart attack risk. The moment you experience it, you should seek emergency treatment at a hospital.
Microvascular Angina
Coronary microvasculature is the term for the tiny blood vessels that branch off from the coronary arteries. When small arteries are blocked due to coronary microvascular disease, it can result in microvascular angina. This type of angina can also occur when there are spasms in the coronary microvasculature.
Microvascular angina can be categorized as stable or unstable. Imaging tests for typical stable or unstable angina can miss it, since they usually focus on the larger arteries. However, other types of tests can effectively evaluate for it.
Variant Angina
Variant angina, also called vasospastic angina or Prinzmetal angina, is a rare type of unstable angina that can happen even when people have no plaque in their arteries.
Unlike other types of angina, variant angina is the result of vasospasms (sudden constrictions of the muscles in a coronary artery). These vasospasms cause temporary oxygen starvation in the heart.
Variant angina typically happens when a person is asleep, between midnight and the early morning. It can be the result of stress, medications, smoking, cold exposure, certain health conditions, or other factors. The pain is often severe.
Refractory Angina
Refractory angina is a term for angina that is resistant to lifestyle changes, angina medications, and heart surgery. Refractory angina episodes occur frequently. If you’re experiencing symptoms that last for more than three months, this is a sign of refractory angina.
Many treatment options are available, including neuromodulation, transmyocardial laser revascularization, gene therapy, and cell therapy.
Learn More Today
To determine which type of angina you have and learn about effective management strategies, schedule a consultation with Dr. Chauncey Crandall. You’ll meet with Dr. Crandall at The Palm Beach Clinic, not far from The Palm Beach Country Club and The Hilton West Palm Beach.