We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is an Anginal Equivalent?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 19,841
Share

An anginal equivalent is pain associated with lack of bloodflow to the heart that develops somewhere other than the chest. In classic cases of angina pectoris, where the heart does not get enough blood, patients develop symptoms like sweating, nausea, and chest pain. Some patients, however, experience pain somewhere else. Unless the symptom is identified as an anginal equivalent, care providers may not be aware that the problem lies with the patient’s heart.

This symptom can be common in some older adults, who may experience unexpected symptoms at the onset of angina. Women also experience abnormal symptoms with angina pectoris which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. The patient may experience shortness of breath, heavy sweating, fatigue, and nausea, all of which are common indicators of angina. Some patients also report anxiety or distress. Pain can appear in the jaw or arm most commonly, although it may also appear elsewhere in the body.

Sometimes, patients experiencing an anginal equivalent may not be aware that they have a heart problem. Care providers need to put together the constellation of classic angina symptoms minus the expected chest pain to determine that the issue lies with the heart. An electrocardiogram study of the heart muscle can identify abnormal rhythms and other signs of heart damage. Doppler ultrasound of the heart during an episode can also show restrictions in bloodflow.

Treatment options for a patient who develops an anginal equivalent can vary. Care providers may want to perform some testing to learn more about the cause, as this can help them decide how to proceed with treatment. Some patients need medications, surgery to address narrowed blood vessels, or therapeutic exercise to develop cardiovascular strength. Patients with a history of anginal equivalent may want to carry a medic alert card with this information, as it could be important to have in an emergency.

Early signs of anginal equivalent could be confused with other conditions by patients or care providers, especially if a detailed list of symptoms is not provided during an evaluation. A patient with asthma, for example, might be accustomed to periodic shortness of breath and discomfort. It is important to pay attention to symptoms and report all of them during doctor visits, even if they don’t appear related. An asthma patient complaining of shortness of breath, for example, might be treated very differently if sharp pain in the jaw was mentioned at the same time.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-an-anginal-equivalent.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.