Definition:
In essence, angina is pain or other discomfort directly related to heart disease.
Angina is the name given to symptoms (usually chest pain or chest discomfort) produced when the heart muscle is in a state of ischemia - that is, when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood flow. Angina is most commonly produced by blockages in the coronary artery produced by atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease).
There are two general types of angina, stable angina and unstable angina. In either kind of angina, the symptoms can be severe or quite mild, and while angina is most commonly described as "chest pain," angina can also manifest as pressure, squeezing, choking, numbness, or any other discomfort in the chest, back, neck or upper abdomen.
Also Known As: angina pectoris
