Few quick defintion type questions

Posted By heather on April 07, 1999 at 21:25:40:







* Does an angina attack last consistently for 15 minutes? Or can the pain come for a minute and then go, off and on for an hour or more? I guess what I'm asking is it more of a constant pain?
* Also, does the heartrate ALWAYS increase during an angina attack? How much of an increase usually occurs? I mean, are we talking 160 or more, or just an increase?
* Is adrenalin response responsible or a possible catalyst for coronary spasm?
* Could the pain from coronary spasm last for 15 seconds and then be gone--or would it be more typical of a sustained angina?
* what effect could Xanax have on coronary spasm, or angina in general besides the sedation?  Does it relax the smooth muscles of the heart or arteries or anything in addition to the "nerves"?
  I know these questions are somewhat disconjointed but thanks for answering them...