How is angina caused by stress?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain how stress can lead to angina. Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the heart muscle. This reduced blood flow is often due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries, which can be caused or exacerbated by stress. Stress can cause several physiological changes that contribute to angina: 1. Increased Heart Rate: Stress can increase your heart rate, demanding more oxygen and increasing the workload on the heart. 2. Blood Pressure: It can also raise your blood pressure, which puts additional strain on the heart and can damage the arteries over time. 3. Atherosclerosis: High blood pressure is a risk factor for angina because it can harm arteries and make them more susceptible to developing atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, reducing blood flow. 4. Hormonal Response: Some hormones released during stress can cause the arteries to narrow, further reducing blood flow to the heart. When these factors combine, they can lead to a situation where the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, resulting in the pain characteristic of angina.

Increased stress can be one cause of angina. Stress can make your blood pressure go up, and high blood pressure is a risk factor for angina because it can harm arteries and make them more likely to develop atherosclerosis. Some hormones that are released in response to stress can also cause narrowing of the arteries.