ABSTRACT
Angina pectoris is a symptom and the most common early manifestation of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Russell et al. 2010). Angina is characterized by central chest pain that may or may not radiate to the left arm, neck and jaw. If a person is asked to score their pain (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most severe), the majority would score 8 or 9. Sublingual nitroglycerin may provide some relief for chest pain that is cardiac in origin (although this is not always the case and in some cases for those with gastro-intestinal complaints may also report relief). Once angina has been formally diagnosed as CAD related, the primary objective is to instigate urgent treatment to preserve the affected myocardium and prevent myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure and death.
