What are the types of angina?

What are the types of angina?

Types of angina vary depending on the underlying cause. Common types include:

• Stable angina: This type is the most common. It follows a consistent pattern for at least two months. It mostly happens during moments of physical exertion or stress. You can usually predict what will trigger this type of angina. Stable angina improves when you’re resting or relaxed. The condition can progress to unstable angina, which isn’t predictable.
• Unstable angina: This type comes on without warning, often when you’re resting. A blood clot in an artery is often the cause. Unstable angina can indicate a heart attack. It is a medical emergency.
• Microvascular angina: MVD, which affects the heart’s smallest coronary artery blood vessels, often causes microvascular angina. It can come on during daily activities or times of stress. Chest pain typically lasts longer than other types of angina. You may have pain for 10 to 30 minutes.
• Variant (Prinzmetal) angina: Coronary spasms cause this rare type. It accounts for just 2 out of 100 angina incidents. The spasms and angina are more likely to occur at night and follow a pattern. Substance use disorder, smoking, cold weather, certain medications and stress can cause spasms. Younger people are more likely to develop this type of angina.