Can Angina be brought on by stress?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can confirm that stress can indeed be a factor in bringing on angina. Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood and, as a result, doesn't get enough oxygen. Stress can cause the heart to beat faster and with greater force, increasing the demand for oxygen and potentially leading to angina in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Angina can be classified into two main types: stable angina and variant (or Prinzmetal's) angina. Stable angina is typically triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress, while variant angina is caused by a spasm of the coronary arteries. This spasm can narrow the artery and disrupt the blood supply to the heart, and as mentioned, stress is one of the potential triggers for this type of angina. It's important to note that while stress can trigger an episode of angina, it is not the underlying cause of the condition. The root causes of angina often relate to the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can restrict blood flow to the heart. In summary, stress is a known trigger for angina, particularly for variant angina, and it's crucial for individuals with heart conditions to manage stress effectively to reduce the risk of angina episodes.

Larger blockages may lead to heart attacks. ... Variant angina occurs when an artery experiences a spasm that causes it to tighten and narrow, disrupting the blood supply to the heart. This can be triggered by exposure to cold, stress, medicines, smoking, or cocaine use.