What is angina?


Angina, which may also be called angina pectoris, is often described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in your chest. Some people with angina symptoms describe angina as feeling like a vise is squeezing their chest or feeling like a heavy weight has been placed on their chest. Angina may be a new pain that needs evaluation by a doctor, or recurring pain that goes away with treatment.


What are the symptoms of angina?

Angina symptoms include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort, possibly described as pressure, squeezing, burning or fullness


  • Nausea

  • Fatigue

  • Shortness of breath

  • Sweating

  • Dizziness

These symptoms need to be evaluated immediately by a doctor who can determine whether you have stable angina, or unstable angina that may indicate a possible heart attack.

Stable angina is the most common form of angina. It usually happens when you exert yourself and goes away with rest. For example, pain that comes on when you're walking uphill or in the cold weather is often angina.

What are the characteristics of stable angina?



  • Lasts a short time, perhaps five minutes or less

  • Disappears sooner if you rest or use your angina medication

The severity, duration and type of angina can vary. New or different symptoms may signal a more dangerous form of angina (unstable angina) or a heart attack.

What are the characteristics of unstable angina?

(a medical emergency)

  • Occurs even at rest

  • Is a change in your usual pattern of angina

  • Is unexpected

  • Is usually more severe and lasts longer than stable angina, maybe 30 minutes or longer

  • May not disappear with rest or use of angina medication

  • Might signal a heart attack

There's another type of angina, called variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina. This type of angina is rarer. It's caused by a spasm in your heart's arteries that temporarily reduces blood flow.

What are the characteristics of variant angina?

(Prinzmetal's angina)

  • Usually happens when you're resting

  • Is often severe

  • May be relieved by angina medication

What is angina like for women?

A woman's angina symptoms can be different from the classic angina symptoms. These differences may lead to delays in seeking treatment. For example, chest pain is a common symptom in women with angina, but it may not be the only symptom or the most prevalent symptom for women. Women may also experience symptoms such as:

  • Nausea

  • Shortness of breath

  • Abdominal pain

  • Discomfort in the neck, jaw or back

  • Stabbing pain instead of chest pressure

When to see a doctor for angina?


If chest discomfort is a new symptom for you, it's important to see your doctor to find out what's causing your chest pain and to get proper treatment. If stable angina gets worse or changes, seek medical attention immediately.

What are the causes of angina?







    Unstable angina worsens and isn't relieved by rest or your usual medications. If the blood flow doesn't improve, your heart is deprived of oxygen and a heart attack occurs. Unstable angina is dangerous and requires emergency treatment.

  • Prinzmetal's angina. This type of angina is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery in which the artery temporarily narrows. This narrowing reduces blood flow to your heart, causing chest pain. Emotional stress, smoking and use of the illegal drug cocaine may trigger this type of angina.

What are the risk factors of angina?



  • Diabetes. Diabetes is the inability of your body to produce enough or respond to insulin properly. Insulin, a hormone secreted by your pancreas, allows your body to use glucose, which is a form of sugar from foods. Diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease, which leads to angina and heart attacks by speeding up atherosclerosis and increasing your cholesterol levels.

  • High blood pressure. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. Over time, high blood pressure damages arteries by accelerating hardening of the arteries.


  • Family history of heart disease. If a family member has coronary artery disease or has had a heart attack, you're at a greater risk of developing angina.





What are some complications from angina?

The chest pain that occurs with angina can make doing some normal activities, such as walking, uncomfortable. However, the most dangerous complication is a heart attack.

Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:



  • Increasing episodes of chest pain

  • Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen

  • Shortness of breath

  • Sweating

  • Impending sense of doom

  • Fainting

  • Nausea and vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

What can I do to prevent angina?


  • Quitting smoking


  • Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight

  • Increasing your physical activity after you get your doctor's OK. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Plus, it's recommended that you get 10 minutes of strength training twice a week and to stretch three times a week for 5 to 10 minutes each time.

  • Reducing your stress level

  • Limit alcohol consumption to two drinks or fewer a day for men, and one drink a day or less for women.

  • Get an annual flu shot to avoid heart complications from the virus

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