4 Types of Angina: Which Are the Most Serious?

Angina occurs when you aren’t getting enough blood flow to your heart. One of the main symptoms is chest pain, but chest pain can indicate several different conditions, from indigestion to cardiac arrest. 

So, Mikhail Kapchits, MD, our board-certified cardiologist at Advanced Medical Care, is here to explain how to recognize different types of angina and what to do if you experience it.

Angina 101

Angina can manifest in different forms, each with unique characteristics and severity: stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal’s), and microvascular. Dr. Kapchits discusses each type and why one is more serious than the others. 

He also touches on some promising research into the benefits of glutathione for managing angina.

Stable angina

Stable angina, the most common type, occurs when your heart works harder than usual, like during physical activity or emotional stress. The pain is usually predictable, and you can manage it with rest and medications.

Unstable angina

Unstable angina is less predictable and more serious. It can occur even when you’re at rest and is considered a pre-heart attack condition. If you experience new or changing chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.

Variant (Prinzmetal’s) angina

Variant angina is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery, often occurring at rest. Despite its rarity, it can be severe and requires medical treatment.

Microvascular angina

Microvascular angina affects the smallest coronary arteries and can cause symptoms like those of other angina types but longer lasting. We often see it in women, and it can be challenging to manage.

Of these, unstable angina is the most serious because it can signal an impending heart attack. It’s crucial to recognize the classic symptoms of unstable angina — unexpected chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating — and seek urgent medical care.

How glutathione addresses angina

Medications and lifestyle changes can help you control angina, but there’s a better way to approach the problem — glutathione.

Glutathione is an antioxidant — some call it the “master antioxidant” — your body naturally produces, and it’s the MVP for reducing oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress is a significant factor in developing heart conditions like angina, it’s wise to keep it at bay, and that’s what glutathione does for you. 

We can boost your system with glutathione IV treatment if you aren't producing enough glutathione. In addition to fighting oxidative stress, glutathione optimizes your immune system and jumpstarts tissue repair. In fact, glutathione has multiple benefits for your overall health, from alleviating pain and improving sleep to relieving cognitive impairments and helping certain skin conditions. 

Dr. Kapchits often recommends glutathione for angina because research suggests it improves blood flow and reduces inflammation. It achieves this by neutralizing harmful free radicals and enhancing your body’s antioxidant defenses, which can protect your heart tissues from damage. 

The bottom line is that supplementing with glutathione may aid in managing angina, especially stable angina, where blood flow issues are the problem.

Seek urgent medical attention for any type of chest pain. For angina, consult with Dr. Kapchits to determine whether glutathione can help. Book online or call Advanced Medical Care in Queens or Brooklyn, New York.