Disease caused by a reduction in the blood supply to an area of the heart. The reduced supply of oxygenated blood leads to an imbalance in the supply and consumption of oxygen by heart muscle cells, resulting in damage.
The most common cause is narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerosis, triggered by the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, etc.
It typically presents as oppressive chest pain with sweating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, pain in the arms and/or neck.
The diagnosis is made clinically by interview and physical examination. It is confirmed by an electrocardiogram and a blood test.
The aim of treatment is to prevent the formation of clots that can block the blood vessel and to dilate the vessel to improve blood flow. Anti-aggregants, vasodilators and drugs to reduce oxygen consumption in the heart muscle are used.
This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Simon A Mahler. Angina pectoris: Chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia. UpToDate. Sep 23, 2015.
- Fihn SD, Blankenship JC, Alexander KP, et al. 2014 ACC/AHA/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS focused update of the guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. J Am Coll Cardiol 2014; 64:1929.
