Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Angina pectoris is a stronger indicator of diffuse vascular atherosclerosis than intermittent claudication:

W B Kannel1, J C Evans, S Piper

  • 1National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA. billkannel@yahoo.com

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|May 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Angina Pectoris (AP) and Intermittent Claudication (IC) both indicate widespread atherosclerosis. AP showed a slightly higher risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, suggesting both are vital for CVD prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Angina Pectoris (AP) and Intermittent Claudication (IC) are symptoms of peripheral artery disease.
  • Atherosclerosis can manifest in multiple vascular beds, necessitating an understanding of symptom implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the predictive value of AP and IC for atherosclerosis in other vascular territories.
  • To assess the role of these conditions as indicators of diffuse atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 5,209 participants (aged 28-62) from the Framingham Heart Study.
  • Biennial examinations over 36 years to track cardiovascular events.
  • Comparative analysis of 10-year CVD incidence in participants with IC and AP versus a healthy reference group.

Main Results:

  • Participants with AP (43.4%) and IC (34.0%) had higher rates of subsequent CVD compared to the reference group.
  • After adjustment, IC showed a 2.73-fold increased CVD hazard, while AP showed a 3.17-fold increased hazard.
  • Risk factors explained more excess CVD risk for IC (34.8%) than for AP (9.5%).

Conclusions:

  • Angina Pectoris (AP) is as effective as Intermittent Claudication (IC) in identifying diffuse atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Both AP and IC serve as crucial indicators for implementing comprehensive preventive measures against CVD.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders06:39

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2016

Testing Acetylcholine Followed by Adenosine for Invasive Diagnosis of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders05:58

Testing Acetylcholine Followed by Adenosine for Invasive Diagnosis of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: February 3, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Angina I: Introduction01:30

Angina I: Introduction

Definition and Symptoms: Angina (angina pectoris) is chest pain or discomfort caused by myocardial ischemia, which occurs when the heart muscle receives insufficient oxygen-rich blood. It typically manifests as pressing, squeezing, or crushing sensations in the chest and may radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.Primary Cause: In a healthy state, the coronary arteries can dilate (widen) to increase blood flow and meet the increased oxygen demand during physical activity or...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Angina II: Classification01:27

Angina II: Classification

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a chest pain resulting from diminished blood flow to the heart muscle and is often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina presents several variants with distinctive attributes, etiologies, and therapeutic approaches. The main types of angina include stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), microvascular, intractable, and silent ischemia.Stable angina is caused by atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the coronary...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...