What causes angina?

What causes angina?

Angina is a sign of an underlying heart problem, such as:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): CAD is the top cause of angina in men and women. It occurs when deposits called plaques build up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. The arteries narrow or harden (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow to the heart. This lack of blood flow results in myocardial ischemia. It puts people at risk for a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
• Coronary microvascular disease (MVD): Women are more likely than men to have angina from MVD. This condition damages the walls and lining of tiny blood vessels that branch from coronary arteries. It decreases blood flow to the heart, causing coronary spasms.
• Coronary spasms: During a coronary spasm, the coronary arteries repeatedly constrict (tighten) and then open up. These spasms temporarily restrict blood flow to the heart. You can have coronary spasms without having coronary artery disease. Spasms can affect large or small coronary arteries.