Do you feel heaviness or tightness in your chest when climbing stairs or walking briskly, only for it to ease when you rest? That can be a sign of angina — a condition caused by narrowing of the heart's arteries. This article explains what angina is, its symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
What is angina?
Angina (Angina Pectoris) is pain or a sensation of pressure in the chest caused by the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. It usually results from narrowing of the coronary arteries due to a build-up of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis).
Angina is not a heart attack, but it is an important warning that should be taken seriously, because it points to a circulation problem in the heart that needs medical evaluation.
Symptoms of angina
Angina symptoms vary and are often misinterpreted. The most common include:
- Heaviness or pressure in the chest that appears with exertion or stress and eases with rest
- Pain that radiates to the left shoulder, arm, jaw, or neck
- Shortness of breath on mild effort that used to be easy
- Sudden dizziness or severe fatigue for no clear reason
- Nausea, sometimes accompanying the above
Stable vs. unstable angina
Stable angina: appears with exertion and goes away with rest — it is predictable.
Unstable angina: appears at rest or with minimal effort — it requires immediate medical evaluation.
When to call emergency services
⚠️ Go to the emergency department or call an ambulance immediately if you have:
- Severe chest pain that does not ease with rest
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath
- Cold sweating with chest pain
- Numbness in the left arm or the jaw
These may be signs of an acute heart attack (myocardial infarction) and require emergency medical care.
Causes and risk factors
Main causes:
- Hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries from fatty deposits
- Spasm of the coronary arteries (rare)
Factors that increase the risk:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Chronic work stress (raises cortisol and accelerates arterial hardening)
- Family history of heart disease
- Older age
Diagnosing angina
Early diagnosis lets the doctor set an effective treatment plan. Common tests include:
- ECG: shows the heart's electrical activity
- Stress test: an ECG while walking on a treadmill to detect changes on exertion
- Echocardiogram: an ultrasound image of the heart muscle
- Blood tests: measuring cholesterol, fats, and inflammatory markers
- Diagnostic catheterization: to view the arteries directly and locate the narrowing
Treatment of angina
Treatment depends on the degree of narrowing and the patient's factors. Options include:
Medication:
- Nitroglycerin tablets (widen the arteries and relieve pain quickly)
- Antiplatelet agents (aspirin and others)
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)
- Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers to control blood pressure and heart rate
Medical interventions:
- Therapeutic catheterization and stent placement to open the narrowing
- Open-heart surgery (bypass) in cases of severe, multi-vessel narrowing
Lifestyle changes:
- Quitting smoking
- A healthy diet low in saturated fat
- Regular exercise as advised by your doctor
- Managing stress and psychological pressure
Preventing angina
Prevention is better than cure. Care for your heart by:
- Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Walking at least 30 minutes a day
- Regular check-ups with a cardiologist if you have risk factors
Frequently asked questions about angina
Is angina dangerous?
Angina indicates a problem in the heart's arteries that deserves medical evaluation. With the right treatment and follow-up, it can be controlled while preserving quality of life.
Can angina be confused with a heart attack?
Yes — the key difference is that stable angina pain eases with rest. If pain lasts more than 15–20 minutes at rest, or comes with sweating and shortness of breath, it may be a heart attack requiring an ambulance immediately.
Does angina need an operation?
Not necessarily. Many cases are managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Catheterization or surgery is decided based on the degree of narrowing and the test results.
What is the difference between angina and acid reflux?
Reflux pain is usually in the middle or lower chest, comes with heartburn, and worsens after eating, whereas angina pain is linked to exertion and may radiate to the shoulder and arm. The doctor distinguishes between them through examination.
Medical note: This article is for general health awareness and does not replace a doctor's consultation. If you have similar symptoms, please see a cardiologist for the necessary tests.
Book an appointment with the cardiologists at Town Hospital — Fifth Settlement
📞 15276 | 🌐 www.townhospitaleg.com