- Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort. It results from coronary heart disease, an
accumulation of plaque inside the coronary blood vessels that reduces blood flow to the
heart. - The pain or tightness associated with angina results from ischemia, the lack of oxygencarrying blood reaching the heart.
- The goals of angina medication and treatment are to relieve ischemia, thereby
reducing the frequency and severity of angina attacks and preventing a heart attack. - Medications that control angina symptoms and ischemia include nitrates, beta-blockers,
and calcium channel blockers. To treat the underlying coronary heart disease, Dr. Adem
uses antiplatelets, lipid-lowering agents, and drugs to control high blood pressure and
diabetes.
