Definition Unstable angina is a condition more serious than stable angina and less serious than an actual heart attack. Stable angina is chest pain from a temporary decrease in oxygen to the heart that is caused by exertion and goes away with rest. A heart attack is a prolonged decrease in oxygen to the heart that results in permanent damage to the heart.
What is going on in the body? Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which fatty deposits, or plaque, form inside blood vessel walls. Arteriosclerosis that involves the arteries supplying the heart is known as coronary artery disease. Plaque can block the flow of blood through the arteries. The tissues that normally receive blood from these arteries then begin to suffer damage from a lack of oxygen. When the heart does not have enough oxygen, it responds by causing the pain and discomfort known as angina.
Unstable angina occurs when the narrowing becomes so severe that not enough blood gets through to keep the heart functioning normally, even at rest. Sometimes the artery can become almost completely blocked. With unstable angina, the lack of oxygen to the heart almost kills the heart tissue.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? Symptoms of unstable angina may include:
chest discomfort including chest pain, pressure, or heaviness with less and less exertion
chest discomfort that does not go away with the usual treatment
How is the condition diagnosed? The diagnosis of unstable angina begins with a careful history of the person's symptoms and a physical examination. Unstable angina is usually diagnosed when:
a person with stable angina has a sudden increase in the number or severity of episodes of chest pain over the previous days or weeks
a person without angina develops increasing episodes of chest pain or chest pain at rest
a person, who may or may not have had angina in the past, develops prolonged chest pain but does not show evidence of a heart attack
The doctor may order several diagnostic tests, including:
an electrocardiogram, or ECG, which is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG is usually normal when a person has no chest pain and often shows certain changes when pain develops.
a cardiac catheterisation, which is an X-ray procedure that is used to look for narrowed coronary arteries. A contrast agent is injected so the doctor can watch blood flow through the heart and its arteries.
various blood tests
What are the long-term effects of the condition? Unstable angina that is not controlled quickly can lead to a heart attack.
What are the risks to others? Unstable angina is not contagious and poses no risks to others.
What are the treatments for the condition? A person who has unstable angina is usually hospitalised. This allows the doctor to determine if the person is having a heart attack, which can cause the same symptoms as unstable angina. The doctor will attempt to optimise the person's medication regimen. The types of medications include the following:
nitroglycerin, to expand the small arteries and veins
beta-blockers, to reduce the work of the heart
blood thinners, to reduce the chance of clotting in the already narrowed arteries
Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem, nifedipine, or verapamil, have been used for over 20 years to open the coronary arteries and lower high blood pressure. However, the findings of recent studies have shown that people who take certain calcium channel blockers have a much higher incidence of complications than people taking other medications for coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.
Sometimes the even the best combination of medications fails to control angina. In this case, surgery may be used to restore blood flow to the affected areas of the heart. Common procedures include:
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA. In this procedure, a tube containing a balloon is inserted into the blocked artery and inflated. This reopens the artery and allows blood to flow.
heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft or CABG. In this procedure, veins taken from the legs or arteries taken from the chest are used to bypass the narrowed or blocked portion of the arteries in the heart.
a stent, or narrow tube, which is placed into the artery at the reopened area to keep it from narrowing again
laser surgery, which uses light waves to dissolve plaque
arterectomy, a surgical procedure in which plaque that causes narrowing of a blood vessel is removed
What are the side effects of the treatments? Beta-blockers can cause:
What happens after treatment for the condition? A person whose unstable angina has been relieved will be monitored in the hospital to be sure the treatment continues to work. If the person has had surgery, the doctor will also check to be sure that the blood flow does not suddenly become blocked again. A cardiac rehabilitation program will be started and will continue after the person leaves the hospital.
How is the condition monitored? A person who has been treated for unstable angina will periodically have an ECG done during exercise. This will show how the heart is working with the remaining blood supply. Cardiac catheterisation may need to be repeated in the future, especially if chest discomfort returns. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: William M. Boggs, MD Reviewer: eknowhow Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr John Hearne Last Updated: 9/11/2004 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
