Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Unstable angina

Alternative Names: Accelerating angina; New-onset angina; Angina - unstable; Progressive angina Symptoms: Typical anginal pain usually originates in the chest and may radiate to the shoulder, arm, jaw, neck, back or other areas. The pain is often described as tightness, squeezing, crushing, burning, choking or aching. Unstable angina is differentiated from stable angina in that the pain may: occur at rest be new in conditions of onset or last longer than previous anginal attacks be less responsive to medication Text Continues Below In other words, if a pattern of stable angina has been present previously, the development of unstable angina may be defined by a change in the pattern, frequency, or severity of the pain. If a pattern of stable angina has not been present previously, the beginning of chest pain episodes also constitutes unstable angina. Signs and tests: Physical examination may reveal a change in blood pressure. Transient heart murmur or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) may occur as well. ECG changes that occur at rest, during pain, are often diagnostic. Heart scans or coronary angiography of the heart are often performed. Echocardiography may reveal changes in the heart caused by decreased coronary blood flow. Blood tests such as CPK, CPK-MB, troponin I, troponin T, and myoglobin are used to diagnose unstable angina and can predict likelihood of progression to heart attack.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.