Unstable Angina

Overview

Unstable angina is one of the components of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). Unstable angina is an emergency condition and you should seek immediate medical treatment. If this conditionleft untreated, unstable angina can lead to heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). This can be life-threatening conditions.

Signs and Symptoms

Chest pain that feels crushing & squeezing , Pain that radiates to your upper extremities (usually on the left side) or back , Nausea , Anxiety , Sweating , Shortness of breath , Dizziness , Unexplained fatigue

Common Causes

Atherosclerosis , Microvascular dysfunction , Coronary artery spasm

Risk Factors

Non modifiable: Inreasing age, Family history of IHD, Modifiable: smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, sedentary lifestyles

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Cardiac enzymes (creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin), ECG, Echocardiography, Stress tests, Coronary angiography

Treatment and Prevention

Modify risk factors, Optimize cardioprotective medications: antiplatelet agents (eg, aspirin), lipid-lowering statin agents (eg, simvastatin), cardiovascular antiplatelet agents (eg, tirofiban), beta blockers (eg, atenolol), anticoagulants (eg, heparin or low-molecular-weight heparins [LMWHs), thrombin inhibitors (eg, bivalirudin), nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin IV), calcium channel blockers (nifedipine), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (eg, captopril), Revascularization

Psychological Issues

Depression , Stress , Anxiety