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Chest Pain / Angina Pectoris: Difference between revisions
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Angina pectoris usually occurs with increasing oxygen demand such as during exercise. As soon as the demand is decreased (by stopping the exercise for example) the angina pectoris usually disappears within a few minutes. | Angina pectoris usually occurs with increasing oxygen demand such as during exercise. As soon as the demand is decreased (by stopping the exercise for example) the angina pectoris usually disappears within a few minutes. | ||
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| align="left" | 'Inability to carry out physical activity without discomfort' or 'angina at rest' | | align="left" | 'Inability to carry out physical activity without discomfort' or 'angina at rest' | ||
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Another way to relieve pain is by administration of nitro-glycerine spray. Nitro-glycerine spray is a vasodilator which reduces venous return to the heart and therefore decreases the workload and therefore oxygen demand. It also vasodilates the coronary arteries and increases coronary blood flow. <Cite>REFNAME7</Cite> The response to nitro-glycerine is however not specific for angina pectoris, a similar response may be seen with oesophageal spasm or other gastrointestinal problems because nitro-glycerine also relaxes smooth muscle. <Cite>REFNAME8</Cite> | |||
The classification of chest pain in combination with age and sex is helpful in estimating the pretest likelihood of angiographically significant coronary artery disease (Table 1). | The classification of chest pain in combination with age and sex is helpful in estimating the pretest likelihood of angiographically significant coronary artery disease (Table 1). | ||