Cervical angina is chest pain originating from disorders of the cervical spine, often mistaken for cardiac angina. It is a potential cause of noncardiac chest pain.
While the exact prevalence is unknown, studies have shown a connection between cervical spine issues and chest pain. For example, in a study of 241 patients with C7 radiculopathy who underwent anterior cervical diskectomy, 16% experienced associated chest or subscapular pain. This suggests that problems in the neck can, in some cases, refer pain to the chest area.
Understanding the Connection
The link between the cervical spine and chest pain involves the nerves that exit the spinal cord in the neck. When these nerves are compressed or irritated due to conditions like:
- Cervical disc herniation: A bulging or ruptured disc pressing on a nerve.
- Cervical spondylosis: Degenerative changes in the cervical spine, such as osteoarthritis.
- Muscle spasms: Tight muscles in the neck and upper back can compress nerves.
- Cervical radiculopathy: Nerve root compression in the neck.
The pain signals can travel along these nerves and be perceived in the chest, mimicking the symptoms of cardiac angina.
Symptoms of Cervical Angina
While chest pain is the primary symptom, cervical angina may present with other associated symptoms, including:
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Arm pain or numbness
- Headaches
- Pain that worsens with certain neck movements
It's crucial to note that chest pain should always be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out cardiac causes first.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing cervical angina typically involves:
- Medical history and physical examination: Assessing symptoms and range of motion.
- Imaging studies: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans of the cervical spine to identify structural abnormalities.
- Nerve conduction studies: To evaluate nerve function.
- Ruling out cardiac causes: Through tests like ECG, stress tests, or angiograms.
Treatment options for cervical angina aim to relieve nerve compression and reduce pain. These may include:
- Physical therapy: Exercises to improve posture, strengthen neck muscles, and increase range of motion.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medications.
- Cervical traction: To decompress the cervical spine.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation around the affected nerves.
- Surgery: In severe cases where conservative treatments fail, surgery may be considered to relieve nerve compression.
Therefore, cervical angina is a condition where neck problems cause chest pain that mimics cardiac angina. Proper diagnosis and management are essential to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.
