What causes angina pectoris?

　　In daily life, angina pectoris is actually a serious medical condition that significantly disrupts patients’ quality of life. This disease not only causes symptoms such as chest pain and tightness but may also lead to complications including arrhythmias and acute heart failure. So, what causes angina pectoris?

　　What Causes Angina Pectoris?

　　The primary cause of angina pectoris is an increased myocardial oxygen demand superimposed on pre-existing fixed stenosis or partial occlusion of the coronary arteries. When coronary arteries are narrowed or partially obstructed, their capacity for vasodilation is diminished, resulting in reduced blood flow and relatively fixed myocardial oxygen supply. If myocardial blood supply remains sufficient to meet the heart’s baseline metabolic demands, no symptoms occur at rest. However, under conditions such as physical exertion, emotional stress, postprandial states (after eating), or cold exposure, cardiac workload increases abruptly—leading to elevated heart rate, increased myocardial contractility and wall tension—and consequently heightened myocardial oxygen consumption. Since coronary blood flow cannot increase proportionally to meet this augmented demand, ischemia develops, triggering angina symptoms. Patients may then experience either stable or unstable angina.

　　Myocardial ischemia arises primarily from inadequate oxygen supply—or increased oxygen demand. Conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, anemia, hyperthyroidism, aortic stenosis, or aortic regurgitation can elevate myocardial oxygen consumption in patients with underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), thereby precipitating angina. Although the heart itself lacks pain receptors, ischemia and hypoxia induce lactic acidosis, which triggers reflexive pain perception. The term “angina pectoris” specifically refers to transient myocardial ischemia caused by insufficient coronary blood flow secondary to atherosclerotic narrowing of the coronary arteries. Without timely intervention, angina may progress to sustained myocardial ischemia or more severe cardiac events.

　　Patients are advised to follow a low-salt, low-fat diet, avoid high-fat and high-sodium foods, and consume more green vegetables—such as celery and Chinese cabbage—as well as fresh fruits. We hope this information proves helpful.