What causes angina pectoris and who is at risk?
Angina is the result of coronary artery disease, which is the main cause of death in the western world. Hard deposits (known by doctor as atheromatous plaques) line the inside of the arteries in the heart, the coronary arteries, narrowing them. This reduces the amount of blood that can flow through them and thus the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart tissue. The risk factors for coronary artery disease are both inherited and due to lifestyle. Genetic predisposing factors include being male, having high blood pressure and having a family history of coronary artery disease. Risks due to lifestyle include smoking, high fat intake with high blood cholesterol levels and obesity. An increased blood flow to the heart is needed in many instances, such as during exercise, sex or stressful or emotional situations. In such situations the narrowed coronary arteries cannot deliver enough blood to the heart to cope with the increased demand for oxygen. This is stable angina. Unstable angina is
