Angina is a symptom of diseased blood vessels (coronary arteries) in the heart, which in medical terms is known as atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty material in the blood vessels, and these fatty deposits are called atheroma.
The coronary arteries supply the heart with blood, which carries nutrients and oxygen. When there is a build-up of fatty material in these blood vessels, this is known as coronary artery disease (CAD).
The heart is a muscle and it pumps blood around your body. The heart relies on the coronary arteries to supply the oxygen and nutrients it needs. If your coronary arteries have a build-up of fatty deposits (which is like limescale clogging up your shower), your blood vessels become narrower so less blood can flow through them. When you start to exercise or get stressed, your heart starts to beat faster. As your heart beats faster it needs more oxygen, but because your blood vessels are narrowed, the amount of oxygen-rich blood reaching your heart is reduced. When your heart needs oxygen but is not receiving enough, you start to feel the crushing pain known as angina. It is important to relax as soon as you feel an attack starting.
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Last Updated 06/03/2008 17:20:00
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