The key difference between prinzmetal and unstable angina is that prinzmetal angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain that happens during rest such as between midnight and early morning, while unstable angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain for longer periods of time without following a pattern such as during exercise or stress.
Angina is also known as chest pain. It occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. There are different types of angina based on the cause or whether medicine or rest improves symptoms. Therefore, prinzmetal and unstable angina are two distinct types of angina.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Prinzmetal Angina
3. What is Unstable Angina
4. Similarities – Prinzmetal and Unstable Angina
5. Prinzmetal vs. Unstable Angina in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Prinzmetal and Unstable Angina
7. Summary – Prinzmetal vs. Unstable Angina
What is Prinzmetal Angina?
Prinzmetal angina is a very uncommon type of angina. It is also known as vasospastic angina. In this condition, chest pain is strong and happens during rest. It usually occurs between midnight and early morning. Prinzmetal angina is very rare and accounts for about 2 out of 100 angina cases. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include chest pain while resting, recurrent episodes of pain that last for about five to 15 minutes per episode, sweating, nausea, dizziness, and relief of symptoms after taking medications. Prinzmetal angina is caused by spasms of the coronary arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This condition can be triggered by medications that constrict blood vessels, the use of drugs like marijuana and cocaine, smoking tobacco, stress, exposure to cold, and exercise.
Prinzmetal angina can be diagnosed through stress tests, coronary angiography, and ambulatory electrocardiogram. Furthermore, treatment options for prinzmetal angina may include giving medications like nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and fluvastatin, and lifestyle changes.
What is Unstable Angina?
Unstable angina is a type of angina that is stronger and lasts longer than stable angina. It does not usually follow any pattern, such as during exercise or stress. It can happen without warning and even while resting or while sleeping. Moreover, the symptoms of unstable angina include tight or crushing pain in the chest that spreads to other areas in the upper body, chest pain occurring even when people are not exerting themselves, shortness of breath, chest pain that does not stop after taking medicine, sweating, and anxiety. It is caused when cholesterol accumulates inside the arteries and keeps the blood from flowing well. The risk factors for this condition are high cholesterol, not exercising, being a man, high blood pressure, being older, family history of early heart disease, having diabetes, smoking, and having obesity.
Unstable angina can be diagnosed through electrocardiogram, stress test, blood test, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography. Furthermore, treatment options for unstable angina include medicine to help blood clots dissolve and stop new blood clots from forming, angioplasty with stent implantation, and heart bypass surgery.
What are the Similarities Between Prinzmetal and Unstable Angina?
- Prinzmetal and unstable angina are two different types of angina.
- Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as chest pain while resting, sweating, anxiety, etc.
- Both these conditions are due to coronary artery spasms.
- They can be diagnosed through echocardiogram and coronary angiography.
- They are treated through specific medications and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Prinzmetal and Unstable Angina?
Prinzmetal angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain that happens during rest, such as between midnight and early morning, while unstable angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain for longer periods of time without following a pattern, such as during exercise or stress. Thus, this is the key difference between prinzmetal and unstable angina. Furthermore, prinzmetal angina is a comparatively very rare condition, while unstable angina is a comparatively common condition.
The infographic below presents the differences between prinzmetal and unstable angina in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Prinzmetal and Unstable Angina
How can you tell the difference between stable and unstable angina in ECG?
In an electrocardiogram (ECG), stable angina typically shows predictable and temporary ST-segment depression during episodes of chest pain, while unstable angina may exhibit ST-segment elevation or new-onset changes on the ECG.
How to differentiate between stable angina and myocardial infarction?
In stable angina, there is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, but no permanent damage occurs. Myocardial infarction (heart attack) involves actual damage to the heart muscle.
Summary – Prinzmetal vs. Unstable Angina
Angina is known as chest pain or discomfort. There are different types of anginas, such as stable, unstable, prinzmetal, and refractory. Therefore, prinzmetal and unstable angina are two different types of angina. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as chest pain while resting, sweating, anxiety, etc. However, prinzmetal angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain occurring during rest, such as between midnight and early morning, while unstable angina is a type of angina characterized by strong pain for longer period of time without following a pattern, such as during exercise or stress. This summarizes the difference between prinzmetal and unstable angina.
Reference:
1.“Prinzmetal’s or Prinzmetal Angina, Variant Angina and Angina Inversa.” Heart.org.
2. “Unstable Angina: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blausen 0022 Angina” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014” WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia