Heart Health
Does a coronary stent make sense for stable angina?
The latest evidence reinforces advice to give medications a chance to work first and get a stent only if symptoms persist.
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
The chest discomfort known as angina (which comes from the Latin word angere, meaning to choke or strangle) occurs in many people with coronary artery disease. Fatty plaque narrows the heart's arteries, slowing blood flow to the heart. During exercise or periods of emotional stress, the increased demand for blood may outpace the heart's supply. The resulting drop in oxygen delivery to the heart muscle triggers angina.
Severe, unrelenting angina is a medical emergency (see "What is acute coronary syndrome?"). But angina that subsides within a few minutes with rest is known as stable angina. Treating this common problem has long been a matter of debate.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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