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Unstable angina is a type of angina pectoris [1] that is irregular or more easily provoked. [2] It is classified as a type of acute coronary syndrome. [3] It can be difficult to distinguish unstable angina from non-ST elevation (non-Q wave) myocardial infarction.
All right, as a quick recap…. Angina pectoris is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow resulting in a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle. There are three types: stable angina, unstable angina, and vasospastic angina. Rest tends to relieve stable angina, but not the other two types, and all three can be treated with nitroglycerin.
Angina may be stable or unstable. Unstable angina is most often associated with emergent, acute coronary syndromes. [20] Angina is typically located below the sternum. [4] Individuals experiencing angina characterize the pain in different ways, but the pain is usually described as crushing, squeezing, or burning. [7]
In unstable angina, symptoms may appear on rest or on minimal exertion. [6] The symptoms can last longer than those in stable angina, can be resistant to rest or medicine, and can get worse over time. [8] [10] Though ACS is usually associated with coronary thrombosis, it can also be associated with cocaine use. [11]
The primary factor differentiating unstable angina from stable angina (other than symptoms) is the underlying pathophysiology of the atherosclerosis. The pathophysiology of unstable angina is the reduction of coronary blood flow due to transient platelet aggregation on apparently normal endothelium, coronary artery spasms, or coronary thrombosis.
These symptoms can also be associated with coronary heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms and are a red flag that should be evaluated, he notes. Inability to lie flat and breathe comfortably.
Myocardial infarction; Other names: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart attack: A myocardial infarction occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque slowly builds up in the inner lining of a coronary artery and then suddenly ruptures, causing catastrophic thrombus formation, totally occluding the artery and preventing blood flow downstream to the heart muscle.
DAPT is used in patients who have, or are at high risk of developing, unstable angina, NSTEMI myocardial infarctions, and other high-risk thrombotic conditions. [5] Dual antiplatelet therapy has been found to significantly reduce rates of heart attacks, strokes , and overall cardiovascular death, but is not used in low-risk patients because it ...