What Is Angina?

By kara

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Angina pectoris, or angina, is a symptom of coronary artery disease that results in chest pain and discomfort, which is a result of reduced blood flow to the heart. This condition is usually brought about because of the narrowing or blocking of arteries, caused by the buildup of plaque in a process known as atherosclerosis.

While people with angina often refer to it as a chest pain disorder, it is not. It is a heart condition that causes flareups of pressure around the chest, back, arms, neck, shoulders and jaw. The pressure creates discomfort and, at times, pain. In some instances, people may feel like they are having a heart attack, but if it is angina, the symptoms usually subside between two to five minutes.

1. What Are Common Symptoms of Angina?

The symptoms of angina can be quite worrisome. For example, while chest pain is well-documented, symptoms can also present as nausea, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and pain running through your arms, shoulder, neck, back and jaw. While experiencing one of these symptoms is worrying enough, more than likely, a patient will experience several symptoms at once.

If you have angina or are unsure of your diagnosis, you should go to see a doctor immediately upon experiencing any of the above symptoms. A doctor will need to determine if you have stable or unstable angina and whether your symptoms are the precursor to a heart attack.

Unfortunately, for angina sufferers who are used to mild attacks, it becomes normal, which can be dangerous. If you are used to your symptoms and have never experienced any adverse effects, then you may become reckless and avoid going to the doctor. Again, seeing a physician is necessary to rule out the threat of a heart attack.