Q. Is decubitus angina kind of a stable angina, and is nectorial angina kind of a variant angina?
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Decubitus angina and nectorial angina are both types of angina, but they are distinct from each other. Decubitus angina is a type of stable angina that is caused by an oxygen deficit in the heart due to exertion or activity. It tends to occur in short episodes and can be triggered by physical activity such as walking, climbing stairs or heavy lifting. The pain usually lasts for only a few minutes and improves with rest or medication like nitroglycerin tablets.
Nectorial Angina on the other hand is a variant form of angina pectoris that occurs when there is insufficient blood flow through the coronary arteries resulting in myocardial (heart muscle) hypoxia (oxygen deficiency). This form of symptoms may appear more slowly than classic forms of stable angina and may take several minutes to experience full chest discomfort. Furthermore, it tends to last longer than decubitus types and may continue even after rest or administration of nitroglycerin tablets. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications such as reducing stress levels, quitting smoking, controlling cholesterol levels and eating healthy foods high in good fats such as avocado and fatty fish like salmon along with medications targeting artery narrowing (e.g., ACE inhibitors).