Angina for GP doctors STABLE ANGINA A 66 year old man complaints of chest pain on exertion since 9 months. When he walks up the slope or when he walks fast, he gets retro-sternal heaviness which lasts for about 15 minutes and is relieved by rest. The pain radiates to the left elbow. It is associated with sweating and breathlessness. He never gets pain at rest or minimal exertion or during sleep. The pain has remained stable over the last 9 months and has not worsened. He has the following risk factors for coronary artery disease. He has high BP and diabetes since 3 years.
He has smoked 16 cigarettes daily for the past 5 years. Last year his cholesterol was 350 mg. His mother had CABG at the age 54. He was advised medications but he refused to take for fear of side effects. This is a typical case of chronic stable angina. Diagnosis is made based on the history. Stable angina is often…
