Angina

Angina is chest pain caused when not enough oxygen is reaching the heart muscle.

The pain or discomfort of angina:

Is often described as pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest

Usually starts in the chest behind the breastbone

May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back

May feel like indigestion.

Some people say that angina discomfort is hard to describe or that they can't tell exactly where the pain is coming from. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness may also occur.

 

 

The pain or discomfort:

Occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion

Is expected, and episodes of pain tend to be alike

Usually lasts a short time (5 minutes or less)

Is relieved by rest or angina medicine

May feel like gas or indigestion

May feel like chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, or other areas.

 

The pain or discomfort:

Often occurs at rest, while sleeping at night, or with little physical exertion

Is unexpected

Is more severe and lasts longer (as long as 30 minutes) than stable angina episodes

Is usually not relieved with rest or angina medicine

May get continuously worse

May signal that a heart attack will happen soon.

 

The pain or discomfort:

Usually occurs at rest and during the night or early morning hours

Tends to be severe

Is relieved by angina medicine.

Diagnosis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Most common diagnostic tests are as follows:

 

·        Electrocardiogram

·        Treadmill or exercise stress test

·        Cardiac catheterization