Angina--pathological mechanisms, clinical expression and treatment

Angina pectoris can be classified from the history into several different entities such as exercise-induced angina, angina at rest and nocturnal angina. Angina is a symptom with many causes. Several groups of drugs and cardiac surgery can provide effective treatment. Exercise-induced angina usually responds to treatment with beta-blockers and nitrates. A calcium-channel blocker or nitrate is probably the best initial treatment for angina associated with vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries. No simple relationship exists between the clinical presentation, the pathological cause and the appropriate treatment.