Unstable Angina

Unstable Angina (aka: Rest Angina Pectoris or Rest Angina) is one of the ischemic (coronary) heart disease forms which is characterized by severe attacks of chest pain occurring while a person is at rest and not depending on any exercise stress. This is a dangerous syndrome which signifies the progression of ischemic heart disease.

There are two separate variants of Rest Angina:

• Post-infarction Angina - develops within 10-14 days after a myocardial infarction attack;
• Prinzmetal’s Angina, or variant Angina - caused by sudden spasms of coronary arteries.

As the condition progresses there are:

• Subacuterest Angina – if Rest Angina episodes occur during the last month;
• Acute Rest Angina – if Rest Angina episodes occur during the last 48 hours.

Based on the prognosis for this condition, Rest Angina is more dangerous than Angina of Effort and often leads to such severe complications of coronary heart disease as myocardial infarction.

Contents:

Causes of rest angina

Symptoms of rest angina

Tests and diagnosis

Treatment and prevention