angina pectoris

noun

angina pec·​to·​ris -ˈpek-t(ə-)rəs 

variants or angina

: a disease marked by brief sudden attacks of chest pain or discomfort caused by deficient oxygenation of the heart muscles usually due to impaired blood flow to the heart

Note: Chest pain may be accompanied by other symptoms (such as nausea, shortness of breath, or pain in the neck, shoulder, jaw, arm, or back). Angina pectoris typically occurs concurrently with coronary heart disease and is often precipitated by physical exertion or emotional stress.

Examples of angina pectoris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the doctors’ documents, Lansky suffered from heart attacks, stroke, coronary artery thrombosis, angina pectoris, duodenal ulcers, osteoarthritis, vertigo, chronic bronchitis, percarditis, lipoma, bursitis and cerebral and vascular diseases. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

Originally developed as a treatment for hypertension and angina pectoris, sildenafil increases blood flow, which is where those healthy boners come from—and which has also been linked to an increase in athletic performance. —Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 25 Apr. 2023

When the clogging of heart arteries becomes severe, the demand for oxygen outstrips the supply, causing severe pain in the chest (angina pectoris). —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 30 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, "angina of the chest"

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

angina pectoris

noun

angina pec·​to·​ris -ˈpek-t(ə-)rəs 

: a heart disorder in which the heart muscle receives too little oxygen and which is marked by brief attacks of intense chest pain that occur again and again

Medical Definition

angina pectoris

noun

angina pec·​to·​ris -ˈpek-t(ə-)rəs 

variants or angina

: a disease marked by brief sudden attacks of chest pain or discomfort caused by deficient oxygenation of the heart muscles usually due to impaired blood flow to the heart

Note: Chest pain may be accompanied by other symptoms (such as nausea, shortness of breath, or pain in the neck, shoulder, jaw, arm, or back). Angina pectoris typically occurs concurrently with coronary heart disease and is often precipitated by physical exertion or emotional stress.

see unstable angina compare coronary insufficiency, heart attack, heart failure sense 1