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Unstable Angina

Meaning

Unstable Angina is a serious acute coronary syndrome characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs at rest, with increasing frequency, or with less exertion than previously, indicating an impending or imminent myocardial infarction (heart attack). This clinical condition represents a critical imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, typically caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and the subsequent formation of a non-occlusive thrombus within a coronary artery. It is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization and aggressive therapeutic intervention to prevent irreversible heart muscle damage. The presence of this symptom is a major cardiovascular health consideration.