differential diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The diagnosis of angina usually assumes that the cause is atherosclerosis. Other causes of cardiogenic chest pain include:

• aortic stenosis
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• mitral valves prolapse (Barlow's syndrome)
• aortic dissection
• pulmonary embolism
• coronary artery spasm

Pain similar to angina may be caused by:

• gastrointestinal disease:
• gastro-oesophageal acid reflux
• oesophagitis
• biliary colic
• gastritis
• pancreatitis
• musculoskeletal pain:
• Bornholm's syndrome
• Tietze's syndrome
• psychiatric
  • anxiety disorders - hyperventilation, panic disorder o affective disorder - depression (1)

Reference:

• 1. American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association 2002. ACC/AHA 2002 Guideline Update for the Management of Patients With Chronic Stable Angina