A story of heartache: The understanding of angina pectoris in the pre-surgical period

Abstract

This paper traces the understanding of angina pectoris over two centuries from its first description by William Heberden, emphasising the Scottish dimension in this process. Such a retrospect is appropriate at a time when natural disasters in several parts of the world are drawing attention to their effect in increasing the incidence of heart attacks. © 2011 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.