What is a common cause of angina?

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Angina is commonly caused by coronary artery narrowing, which results in reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. This condition is often a result of atherosclerosis, where plaques build up within the coronary arteries, leading to their narrowing and subsequently restricting blood supply during increased physical activity or stress. When the heart demands more oxygen, such as during exercise, the narrowed arteries may not be able to deliver sufficient blood, resulting in the characteristic chest pain or discomfort known as angina.

Understanding coronary artery disease is crucial since it directly correlates with the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications. While atrial fibrillation, congenital heart disease, and heart valve insufficiency can lead to other heart-related symptoms or problems, they do not primarily result in angina by affecting the coronary blood flow in the same way that coronary artery narrowing does. Hence, the connection between reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries and the symptoms of angina makes this the most common cause of the condition.

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