Types of Angina?

http://www.mamashealth.com/angina.asp

There are different types of angina. The two major types are Variant angina pectoris and Microvascular angina.

Variant angina is a rare form of angina that is caused by coronary spasms (vasospasm). The coronary spasm contracts the muscles in the wall of an artery in the heart making the artery constrict. When the artery constricts, blood flow through the artery is either stopped or slowed. When this occurs, the heart does not get enough blood. Variant angina may happen in patients who also have severe atherosclerosis in at least one major vessel. Unlike typical angina, variant angina usually occurs during times of rest. Variant anginal attacks are often very painful, and the attacks happen more often between midnight and 8 in the morning. Usually the attacks happen at the same time each day.

Coronary artery spasm may occur from many different stimulants. Its may occur spontaneously or it may be caused by exposure to cold, emotional stress, or vaso-constricting medications. Cocaine use will increase the chances of having angina. The chance of an anginal attack increase because cocaine can cause severe spasm of the arteries while at the same time increasing the energy requirements of the heart.

Patients with variant angina have a greater risk for heart attack, an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and even sudden death. Those who survive a heart attack usually stabilize. Many patients who suffer from angina find that the symptoms and events of variant angina slowly go away.

Microvascular angina is a recently discovered type of angina. Patients suffering from microvascular angina have chest pain but do not seem to have a blockage in a coronary artery. The pain in the chest is because the tiny blood vessels that feed the heart, arms, and legs are not working properly. Generally, patients cope well with this type of angina and have very few long-term side effects.