Who does angina usually affect?

Angina currently affects more than 10 million Americans, with 350,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Although it most commonly affects males who are middle-aged or older, it can occur in both sexes and all age groups.

Angina is not a disease but a symptom of a more serious condition, usually coronary heart disease. Coronary artery disease is an illness that produces a narrowing and blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle).

This is usually the result of atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty deposits (plaques) build up along the inside walls of blood vessels. In addition to coronary artery disease, angina can also occur because of heart rhythm disturbances, heart valve abnormalities, anemia and some thyroid conditions.