Pathophysiology of Angina Pectoris Angina Pectoris is a symptom of cerebra ischemia.

Cerebral ischemia is the result of an imbalance between the myocardial oxygen requirement and the myocardial oxygen supply. Ischemic Heart Disease (CAD) can be associated with several illnesses. Samples of these are acute MI, dysrhythmias, postural hypotension, atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Ischemic myocardium causes metabolic changes in the body. It is believed the pain of angina is associated with these metabolic changes. Ischemic cells in the brain release adenosine, bradyhinin, histamine and serotonin chemicals. These chemicals affect intracardiac sympathetic nerves which travel to the cardiac plexis. These chemicals also affect the sympathetic ganglia from the C7 to T4 level. The cerebral cortex and the thalamus receive impulses that travel through the spinal cord.