Angina is a discomfort in the chest area due to the reduced flow of blood to the heart muscle. It typically leads to a constricted, heavy feeling in the chest and may spread to the neck, jaw, torso, and left arm.

There are several reasons why angina occurs in a patient. All the reasons are indicative of coronary artery disease.

What causes angina?
The heart muscle requires a steady supply of oxygen for the body to survive. Arteries leading to the heart muscle carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The problem happens when there is a reduced flow of blood. This occurs when the arteries are narrowed or hardened. Fat deposits or plaque on the arteries can cause this narrowing. This is called atherosclerosis.

A person with fat deposits in their arteries will not have angina solely due to the fact that angina is a condition of the low supply of oxygen to the heart. So while the body requires lesser oxygen, say while resting or sleeping, it will get on by with the low oxygen available to the heart. It is when physical exertion takes place that the heart requires a good supply of oxygen, and angina typically occurs.

Stable angina
This is caused when the person exerts themselves physically. Exercise, climbing stairs, or while even walking, the heart needs a good supply of oxygen, which the plaque-clogged arteries are unable to deliver. Physical exertion aside, even emotional stress, cold weather, smoking, and heavy meals can cause stable angina.

Unstable angina
This type of angina is caused by rupture of the plaque in the blood vessels, or when a blood clot forms restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood in the arteries to the heart. In this case neither rest nor usual medication will help, and if the heart does not get enough oxygen the person may have a heart attack. This is a dangerous type of angina and needs immediate medical intervention.

Variant or Prinzmetal’s angina
This is caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries, leading to reduced oxygen supply to the heart. This is usually caused due to substance abuse, smoking, and emotional stress.

Some lifestyle habits form risk factors of angina:

  • Tobacco use
    Chewing or smoking tobacco and passive smoking can reduce the oxygen supply to your heart because of the plaque that forms over time from tobacco use.
  • Obesity
    Eating foods that increase your triglycerides, a type of blood fat, can cause angina. These are sugar-rich foods, high carb foods, and unhealthy fatty foods like fries and chips. Cholesterol caused by such foods can narrow your arteries, including the coronary arteries, leading to the restricted blood supply to the heart.
  • Stress
    High blood pressure can cause stress and anger, which causes a surge of hormones that narrow the arteries.
  • Sedentary lifestyle
    A lifestyle that does not include much physical exercise can cause fat deposits to build up in the arteries, causing angina. Regular walks, running, yoga, and other physical activities, coupled with good eating habits will reduce the risk of getting angina.