Angina is the name given to a tight pain felt in the chest that occurs when insufficient oxygen is being carried in the blood to the muscles of the heart. Stable angina usually occurs when the demand for oxygen cannot be met during exertion.
Unstable angina can occur at any time, including at rest.
In women, it generally starts after the menopause. Angina is the result of coronary artery disease, which is the main cause of death in the western world. This reduces the amount of blood that can flow through them and thus the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart tissue. The risk factors for coronary artery disease are both inherited and due to lifestyle. Genetic predisposing factors include being male, having high blood pressure and having a family history of coronary artery disease.