Profile of Chronic and Recurrent Angina Pectoris in a Referral Population

Angina pectoris (AP) often responds to treatment, but in some, it becomes chronic or recurs over time. Identifying patients with continued AP is a necessary to understand its associations and implications. A baseline cohort with coronary disease and AP were surveyed 6 months and 1 year after catheterization for self-reported symptoms and quality of life. Patients were divided into 3 groups: chronic AP, recurrent AP, and AP free. Baseline characteristics, medications, revascularization, and quality of life are described. Regression analysis determined independent associations with chronic AP. Of the 1,109 patients with complete 1-year follow-up, 19% (n = 207) had chronic AP, 11% (n = 126) had recurrent AP, but most (70%, n = 776) were AP free. Patients with chronic and recurrent AP had similar cardiac histories, had more single vessel coronary disease, and underwent revascularization less often. Patients with recurrent AP had lower educational status and more often smoked. Patients with chronic AP were younger, were women, had higher body mass index, had more depression and lung disease, and had more frequent baseline AP. They also took more antianginals and other medications and had reduced physical function and health-related quality of life in relation to the persistence and frequency of symptoms (p <0.001). In conclusion, patients with chronic and recurrent AP represent unique populations in whom AP continues to negatively impact quality of life despite contemporary care.