Unstable Angina
Definition
Unstable angina is a type of chest pain that occurs due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, typically caused by the partial blockage of coronary arteries. It is considered a medical emergency, as it may signal an impending heart attack. Unstable angina differs from stable angina in that it occurs unpredictably, often at rest or with minimal exertion, and may not be relieved by rest or medication.
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Cardiovascular Medicine
At Yale Medicine, our cardiovascular physicians specialize in all types of heart conditions. Our expert teams focus on heart-related health issues, such as heart disease genetics, heart rhythm problems, heart failure, heart and blood vessel conditions, and heart transplants. Our cardiologists do more than just see patients; they also conduct research to learn more about the complexities of various heart diseases and investigate better ways to treat them. Through their work in five research centers at Yale our cardiologists participate in major research initiatives focused on all aspects of heart health. Our research teams are comprised of experts from all over the world—eight different countries and four continents, to be exact! Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Adult congenital heart disease Arrhythmia Cardiac imaging Cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure Coronary heart disease General cardiology (including stress tests and holter monitoring) Peripheral vascular heart disease Vascular heart diseaseCardiac Advanced Imaging Program
Capturing and interpreting images of the heart are essential to successfully managing cardiac conditions. Our program features advanced technology to capture images of the heart, which allows our physicians to make accurate diagnoses and determine the best course of treatment. Among the techniques we use are nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and cardiac CT (computed tomography) imaging, a diagnostic method that allows us to take images of blood vessels, bones, and internal organs. Our nuclear cardiology laboratories offer such state-of-the-art imaging techniques as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and SPECT-CT, and our team has a long history of groundbreaking research in cardiovascular nuclear imaging. Our echocardiography (ultrasound) laboratories provide a comprehensive array of 2-D and 3-D transthoracic (chest wall) and transesophageal (through the esophagus) imaging options, as well as intracardiac echo imaging (ICE), an imaging technique that allows physicians to get a clear picture of the inner workings of the heart.Children’s Heart Center
At Yale New Haven Children’s Heart Center, we help children feel better. Our goal is to provide safe, sustainable, comprehensive care for pediatric and congenital heart disease across the lifespan. We know that one in every 100 babies will be born with a heart problem, and about a quarter of those will need heart surgery or another intervention within their first year of life. Some will need additional operations as they grow. Children’s heart problems are different from heart disease in adults, and there are many different types. We treat all of them. Our doctors are innovators—many have national and international reputations—and they have access to the latest tools and techniques. They often diagnose heart defects in utero and treat babies soon after they are born, help older children live normal lives, and support teenagers as they transition from pediatric to adult cardiac care. When they aren’t caring for patients, many of our doctors are in the research lab investigating better ways to fix small hearts. We are the only hospital in Connecticut that performs such highly specialized procedures as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closures for newborns, allowing many to avoid invasive surgeries, and the only pediatric center in the state to provide heart transplants and mechanical cardiac assist devices. Many of our outcomes surpass the national average in such areas as mortality and length of stay. Yale wants patients to have easy access to care in their communities whenever possible. So, we care for our young patients in Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and at other locations throughout the state from Greenwich to Old Saybrook.