stable angina in the elderly

Stable angina pectoris is caused by exertion-induced myocardial ischemia, leading to discomfort in the chest and adjacent areas, which may be accompanied by cardiac dysfunction, but without myocardial necrosis. Its characteristics are paroxysmal squeezing and suffocating sensations in the anterior chest, mainly located behind the sternum, which may radiate to the precordial area and the ulnar side of the left upper limb, and may also radiate to the right arm and the lateral aspects of both arms or to the neck and mandible, lasting for several minutes, and often disappearing rapidly after rest or sublingual administration of nitroglycerin. Angina pectoris is a clinical symptom of myocardial ischemia caused by a temporary imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply. It results from the failure of coronary artery blood supply and oxygen to meet myocardial needs under certain conditions. This disease is more common in males.