Chronic stable angina differential diagnosis
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Chronic stable angina Microchapters | ||
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Classification | ||
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Differentiating Chronic Stable Angina from Acute Coronary Syndromes | ||
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Diagnosis | ||
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Alternative Therapies for Refractory Angina | ||
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Discharge Care | ||
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Guidelines for Asymptomatic Patients | ||
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Case Studies | ||
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Chronic stable angina differential diagnosis On the Web | ||
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to Hospitals Treating Chronic stable angina differential diagnosis | ||
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic stable angina differential diagnosis | ||
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
For a full discussion of the differential diagnosis of chest pain click here
For an expert algorithm that aids in the diagnosis of the cause of chest pain click here
Overview
Stable angina must be differentiated from unstable angina and acute coronary syndromes. If the pattern of angina is stable, this is termed chronic stable angina. If the magnitude, threshold or frequency of chest pain accelerates, this is termed an acute coronary syndrome.
Differentiating chronic stable angina from urgent conditions
Angina pectoris is a sign of coronary heart disease. If chronic chest discomfort occurs it is termed chronic stable angina, which is the topic of this chapter.
If the chest discomfort occurs at rest or in an accelerating pattern this is called an acute coronary syndrome. An acute coronary syndrome is characterized by the following:
- The chest pain lasts at least 10 minutes at rest, or
- There are repeated episodes at rest lasting ≥5 minutes, or
- An accelerating pattern of ischemic discomfort (episodes that are more frequent, severe, longer in duration, and precipitated by minimal exertion).
The presence of an acute coronary syndrome requires urgent evaluation and treatment and can present as either:
- Unstable angina: An open artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart but without irreversible damage is present.
- Non ST elevation MI: An open or closed artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart with irreversible damage is present.
- ST elevation MI: A closed artery with insufficient blood flow to the heart and irreversible damage is present.