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Angina is chest pain caused by your heart muscle not getting enough blood.


Angina is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. The arteries become blocked with fatty deposits leading to coronary heart disease.

An episode of angina is often a sign of an oncoming heart attack. It usually starts with a tight pain in the chest during physical activity and may feel like indigestion.

Middle-aged men who are overweight and smoke are most at risk of the condition.

There are three types of angina:

  • Stable - Follows physical exertion. Occurs when blood vessels to the heart become narrowed.
  • Unstable - The most dangerous. Pain occurs after only slight exertion. Blood vessels to the heart become so narrowed there’s a high risk of heart attack.
  • Variant - A rare type. Occurs without warning and is due to a spasm of a coronary artery.

