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Cardiolucent

Condition

Angina Pectoris

Chest discomfort from limited coronary blood flow, evaluated with same-day diagnostics.

Angina pectoris is the clinical term for chest discomfort that arises when the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. It is most often a manifestation of coronary artery disease, where plaque has narrowed one or more of the arteries that supply the heart. Patients typically describe pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest, often brought on by exertion or stress and relieved by rest. Recognizing angina early matters because it is a warning sign for future heart attack, and the underlying disease is highly treatable when identified. Dr. Kedan evaluates every chest pain presentation as both a diagnostic and a risk-stratification question.

What Cardiolucent Evaluates

  • Detailed symptom history including timing, triggers, duration, and relieving factors
  • Resting 12-lead EKG and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) at the visit
  • Risk-factor profile: blood pressure, lipids including advanced panel, glucose, family history
  • Functional or anatomic testing as indicated — stress echo, nuclear stress, or cardiac CT angiography
  • Coronary calcium scoring when appropriate for risk refinement
  • Coordination with Cedars-Sinai catheterization when invasive evaluation is needed
  • Personalized prevention and medication plan to reduce future event risk

Common Symptoms

  • Pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the center of the chest
  • Discomfort radiating to the left arm, jaw, neck, or back
  • Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
  • Nausea, sweating, or lightheadedness during episodes
  • Symptoms triggered by physical activity, cold, or emotional stress and relieved by rest
  • In women and people with diabetes, atypical presentations such as fatigue or indigestion-like discomfort

Risk Factors

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol, particularly elevated LDL and lipoprotein(a)
  • Diabetes or insulin resistance
  • Tobacco use, current or past
  • Family history of premature coronary disease
  • Sedentary lifestyle and obesity
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions
  • Older age and male sex, though women's risk rises sharply after menopause

How Cardiolucent Approaches Treatment

Treatment of stable angina combines aggressive risk-factor control with symptom-directed medical therapy and, when indicated, revascularization. Dr. Kedan tailors regimens that may include antiplatelet therapy, statins or non-statin LDL-lowering agents, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, while addressing blood pressure, glucose, and lifestyle in parallel. When anatomy or symptom burden warrants it, he coordinates directly with interventional colleagues at Cedars-Sinai for catheterization, stenting, or surgical evaluation.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is angina pectoris?
Angina pectoris is chest discomfort caused by the heart muscle receiving less oxygen than it needs, almost always because of narrowed coronary arteries. It is a symptom, not a disease in itself, and it is one of the most important warning signs in cardiology because it points to a treatable underlying problem.
What does angina feel like?
Most patients describe pressure, tightness, or a heavy sensation in the center of the chest, sometimes radiating to the arm, jaw, or back. It is typically brought on by exertion, a heavy meal, cold air, or stress and relieved by rest within a few minutes. Women, older adults, and patients with diabetes may instead notice shortness of breath, fatigue, or nausea.
Is angina the same as a heart attack?
No. Angina is a warning that the heart muscle is being deprived of oxygen, but blood flow has not been cut off long enough to cause permanent damage. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is acutely blocked and heart muscle begins to die. Any new, worsening, or rest-occurring chest pain should be treated as a potential heart attack and evaluated urgently.
How is angina diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a careful history and an EKG, followed by functional or anatomic testing of the coronary arteries. Dr. Kedan often uses stress echocardiography, nuclear stress imaging, or cardiac CT angiography, along with coronary calcium scoring to refine risk. The goal is to confirm the diagnosis and define how extensive and severe the underlying coronary disease is.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?
Stable angina is predictable: it occurs with a similar amount of effort each time and is relieved by rest. Unstable angina occurs at rest, lasts longer, or is changing in pattern, and it requires emergency evaluation because it often precedes a heart attack.
How is angina treated?
Treatment combines risk-factor control with medications that reduce the heart's oxygen demand and improve coronary flow, along with intensive cholesterol lowering and antiplatelet therapy. When symptoms persist or testing shows severe disease, stenting or bypass surgery may be considered. Dr. Kedan personally develops and adjusts the regimen rather than delegating it.
Can angina go away on its own?
The underlying coronary disease does not go away without treatment, but symptoms often improve dramatically with the right medications and lifestyle changes. Many patients become symptom-free on a well-tuned regimen even without a procedure.
When should I go to the ER versus call the office?
Chest pain that is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, occurs at rest, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, or arm or jaw discomfort should be treated as a potential heart attack and evaluated in the emergency department. New or changing chest discomfort that is mild or exertion-related should be discussed promptly with the office at (310) 304-5555.
What does Cardiolucent do differently for angina patients?
Dr. Kedan personally takes the history, performs the exam, and reviews the imaging, with POCUS available at every visit and extended appointment lengths that allow same-day diagnostic decisions when possible. As a concierge practice, Cardiolucent is structured so the cardiologist who sees you is the same one who manages your plan over time.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (310) 304-5555 or use the contact form to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kedan at the Beverly Hills office. Cardiolucent is a concierge practice and does not bill Medicare or insurance, though a detailed superbill is provided for any out-of-network reimbursement.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.