Angina Does Not Always Require Revascularization

Sometimes, optimal medical management is sufficient to effectively relieve symptoms and prevent a heart attack.

Published: March 21, 2023

Screen Shot 2023-03-05 at 10.36.19 AM — © andresr | Getty Images We used to assume that once angina begins, future revascularization is pretty much assured. But researchers found that only patients experiencing frequent or severe angina benefit from invasive management. Angina that is mild or infrequent—stable—may be safely managed with medications.

Angina, often a sensation of pain or pressure in the chest, is a hallmark of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). It occurs when fatty plaques in the coronary arteries restrict blood flow, causing the heart muscle to send a signal of distress.