angina pectoris - definition of angina pectoris in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

angina /an·gi·na/ (an-ji´nah) (an´jĭ-nah)

2. spasmodic, choking, or suffocating pain.an´ginal

angina of effort stable a. pectoris; see a. pectoris.

herpes angina , angina herpe´tica herpangina.

intestinal angina cramping abdominal pain shortly after a meal, lasting one to three hours, due to ischemia of the smooth muscle of the bowel.

angina inver´sa Prinzmetal's a.

Ludwig's angina a severe form of cellulitis of the submaxillary space and secondary involvement of the sublingual and submental spaces, usually from infection or a penetrating injury to the floor of the mouth.

angina pec´toris paroxysmal pain in the chest, often radiating to the arms, particularly the left, usually due to interference with the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle, and precipitated by excitement or effort. It is subdivided into stable and unstable a. pectoris based on the predictability of the frequency, duration, and causative factors for attacks.

Plaut's angina necrotizing ulcerative gingivostomatitis.

Prinzmetal's angina a variant of angina pectoris in which the attacks occur during rest, exercise capacity is well preserved, and attacks are associated electrocardiographically with elevation of the ST segment.

pseudomembranous angina necrotizing ulcerative gingivostomatitis.

silent angina an episode of coronary insufficiency in which no pain is experienced.

variant angina pectoris Prinzmetal's a.

angina pec·to·ris (p

Severe constricting chest pain, often radiating from the precordium to the left shoulder and down the arm, due to insufficient blood supply to the heart that is usually caused by coronary disease. Also called stenocardia.

Angina pectoris

A feeling of tightness, heaviness, or pain in the chest, caused by a lack of oxygen in the muscular wall of the heart.

Mentioned in: Antiangina Drugs, Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Carotid Sinus Massage

angina pectoris,

a paroxysmal thoracic pain caused most often by myocardial anoxia as a result of atherosclerosis or spasm of the coronary arteries. The pain usually radiates along the neck, jaw, and shoulder and down the inner aspect of the left arm. It is frequently accompanied by a feeling of suffocation and impending death. Attacks of angina pectoris are often related to exertion, emotional stress, eating, and exposure to intense cold, but unstable angina can occur in the absence of a stimulus or exertion. The pain may be relieved by rest and vasodilation of the coronary arteries by medication, such as nitroglycerin. Also called cardiac pain.

observations The chief symptom of stable angina is a highly variable, transient, substernal pain that typically starts with physical or emotional exertion and subsides with rest. It may range from a vague ache to an intense crushing sensation. Radiation to the left shoulder, arm, or jaw or to the back is common but does not occur in all cases. Attacks are exacerbated by cold. The most severe class of angina is a constant pain even at rest. Symptom patterns tend to be consistent and stable for a given individual. Any change in symptom patterns, such as an increase in attack frequency or intensity, should be viewed as serious. Such changes are known as unstable angina and are associated with the deterioration of atherosclerotic plaque. The pain in unstable angina is frequently not fully relieved by rest. Unstable angina is often a precursor to myocardial infarction. Tests include a stress test to deliberately induce an angina attack and check for electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. A test dose of nitroglycerin is administered to evaluate the degree of pain relief. Serum lipid and cardiac enzyme levels are evaluated to screen for cardiac risk factors. Nuclear scanning, angiography, and PET may be indicated to check myocardial perfusion and determine the presence of underlying coronary artery disease (CAD).

interventions The first line of treatment is aggressive modification of risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, elevated lipid levels, and elevated blood pressure. Drug therapy focuses on the prevention of myocardial insufficiency and pain relief and includes nitrates, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Prophylactic aspirin and statins are given for individuals with known CAD, and aspirin and heparin are used to treat intracoronary blood clotting in unstable angina and to prevent progression to myocardial infarction. Coronary artery bypass is used for selected individuals with severe angina, localized CAD, no history of MI, and good ventricular function. Percutaneous coronary intervention may be emergently performed to compress plaque, and a stent may placed to keep the coronary artery open. Angioplasty may be used to remove obstructive atherosclerotic lesions. Unstable angina necessitates immediate hospitalization, bed rest, and ECG monitoring for possible MI.

nursing considerations Nursing plays a large role in reducing risk behaviors through smoking-cessation protocols, dietary modification (low-fat, low-sodium diet with complex carbohydrates and fruits), consistent aerobic exercise routines (three to four times weekly for at least 30 minutes), and stress-reduction activities. Patient education is tailored to the individual's symptom set and includes identification of precipitating factors and education to prevent or control those factors. Education about medication effects and side effects is essential. The individual should be able to recognize and report symptoms of unstable angina. Nursing intervention during an acute attack is aimed at maintaining adequate tissue perfusion and relieving pain, including assessment and monitoring of vital signs and ECG patterns, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, administration of oxygen, and prompt administration of nitrates and narcotic analgesics as needed. Rest and cessation of all activity should occur until pain subsides. The nurse should provide comfortable positioning, and supportive calm reassurance to reduce anxiety.

angina pectoris (an·jīˑ·n

pek·tōrˑ·is),

n chest pain, often caused by myocardial anoxia and arterial constriction.

angina (anjīn

n a spasmodic, choking pain. The term is sometimes applied to the disease producing the pain (e.g., Ludwig's angina).

angina, agranulocytic

n See agranulocytosis.

angina, Ludwig's,

n.pr a cellulitis involving the submandibular space and characterized clinically by a firm swelling of the floor of the oral cavity, with elevation of the tongue.

Ludwig's angina.

angina, monocytic,

n a “sore throat” associated with infectious mononucleosis.

angina pectoris,

n a symptom of cardiovascular diseases; characterized by a severe, viselike pain behind the sternum that sometimes radiates to the arms, neck, or mandible. It also includes a sense of constriction or pressure of the chest. Angina pectoris is caused by exertion or excitement and is relieved by rest.

angina, Vincent's,

n an older term for involvement of the pharynx by the spread of necrotizing ulceromembranous gingivitis. See also gingivitis, necrotizing ulcerative.

Patient discussion about angina pectoris.

Q. I still have chest pain after 5 angioplasties/stents. Does anybody else still have that much angina?

A. my uncle had the same problem. went through several catheterization at several different cardiologist (some are well known), but couldn't get this annoying pain off his chest. the weird part was that it didn't even reacted to effort. but eventually (i don't remember the stent amount) one of the cardiologist solved the problem. so don't give up and continue searching the cause!