Angina Symptoms: Your Essential Guide

Angina, or chronic chest pain, is a condition many people face, but only a few fully understand. It is noticeably uncomfortable. The signal from your heart is that it is not receiving enough oxygenated blood. Imagine you are going for a walk and suddenly feel pressure in your chest—this could be a symptom of angina to watch out for. This blog aims to demystify angina, supporting you in understanding its symptoms and recognising them while seeking clinical help.

What is Angina?

Angina is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying heart condition, usually coronary artery disease (CAD). It occurs when your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina can feel like pressure, squeezing, or tightness in your chest. The pain of angina most generally happens during intervals of bodily exertion or while under emotional strain and is relieved by rest or medicinal drugs.

Types of Angina and Their Symptoms

Understanding the type of angina is crucial for determining the severity of the condition. Here are the primary types and their associated symptoms:

Stable Angina

This is the most common type. It has a consistent rhythm and develops while walking or ascending stairs. It lasts a short period and can be eased with rest or nitroglycerin. Chest pain triggered by physical activity or stress, usually lasting a few minutes.

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is more severe and unexpected, it can occur even when resting and is considered a medical emergency. Sudden, severe chest pain occurring even at rest, often a warning of a heart attack.

Variant Angina

A type of chest pain caused by a temporary spasm in the coronary arteries, usually occurring at rest. Chest pain occurs at rest, typically in the early hours, caused by coronary spasms.

Microvascular Angina

Chest pain resulting from dysfunction in the small coronary blood vessels, without significant blockages in the larger arteries. Widespread chest pain with no blockage, commonly affecting women.

Common Symptoms of Angina

Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to any part of the heart. If you have this condition, your heart is more vulnerable to cardiac arrest. Know your angina symptoms—what causes your chest pain, what it feels like, how long it lasts, and whether medicine helps.

Chest pain or discomfort

The first and most common symptom of angina is chest pain or discomfort. Patients often describe this as pressure pushing in the middle of the chest. Individuals may relate it to feeling like someone had sat on their chest. This pain may become so grievous or frightening that it hinders ordinary activity.

Pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, knees, or back

The pain does not always stay in the chest. Angina can also cause burning pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, legs, and back. Dull pain can always occur in the left arm and shoulder due to angina. This radiating pain can be quite misleading and sometimes even difficult to pinpoint.

Shortness of breath

Another common symptom is shortness of breath, alone or with chest pain. People may feel unusually winded after walking short distances; something that had not bothered them before was breathlessness. Breathlessness occurs when the heart is not getting enough oxygen and can be alarming.

Less Common Symptoms of Angina

Nausea

If the heart is upset for any reason, this gets reflected in the stomach, which can cause uncomfortable cramping.

Fatigue

Another very common symptom is fatigue. Imagine your heart working overtime to push blood through weakened arteries. No wonder you’re tired. You cannot shake off this fatigue when you are sound asleep. It’s always overwhelming, often making a day-to-day job feel like a lot of work.

Sweating and dizziness

Excessive sweating can indicate angina even if you don’t exercise. Sweating usually occurs and feels cold and sticky. Our bodies react to stress and pain because the heart has to pump harder than usual.

When to Seek Medical Help?

In case you have angina, the time onset and severity can be used to project your need for emergency medical attention.

• If the chest pain is continuous over a few minutes or recurring, you should seek a doctor. Angina that does not improve after rest or therapy is indicative of serious trouble.
• If symptoms like dizziness or terrible headaches suddenly occur, you should immediately see a doctor. They can be signs of a more severe problem.
• If you think that your angina attacks have increased in frequency or are easier to trigger, this could be an indication of the progression of underlying heart disease. Do not hesitate to see a doctor.

How to Differentiate Angina from a Heart Attack

Angina symptoms can mimic a heart attack, but the two conditions differ. Angina is usually relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, whereas a heart attack requires urgent medical intervention. If unsure, err on the side of caution and seek emergency care.

Read more about Heart Attack Symptoms and Causes of Gym Heart Attacks

Preventing Angina Symptoms

Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of angina. Key strategies include:

• Eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
• Regular physical activity to maintain cardiovascular health.
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
• Managing stress through mindfulness or therapy.
• Regular medical checkups to monitor heart health.

Read more about Heart Attack Prevention - Exercise, Health Checkup & Diet

Conclusion

Follow-up visits might be needed every 4 to 6 months during the first year after being diagnosed with angina and every 6 to 12 months after that if your condition remains stable. If you have very bad or unstable angina, you can switch treatment. Unstable angina is a medical emergency. As part of your continued treatment, your doctor may especially prescribe statins to bring down your cholesterol level if you have a history of heart disease.

Read more about - Heart Failure Symptoms in Women vs Men

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the symptoms of angina?

Some common symptoms of angina are:

• Shortness of breath.
• Extreme tiredness
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Nausea or feeling sick to your stomach
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Sweating
• Weakness

2. Are there less common symptoms of angina to watch for?

Yes, there are many less common symptoms of angina, like dizziness, heartburn, etc.

3. What are the main causes of angina?

The most common cause is heart disease. This happens when plaque, a fatty substance, constricts the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to your heart muscle.

4. How do the symptoms of angina differ from heart failure?

Angina is a temporary lack of proper blood flow to the heart, and heart disease causes persistent poor blood flow.

5. Is there any specific lifestyle change that might help relieve the symptoms of angina?

Yes, making lifestyle changes can help relieve angina symptoms and reduce the risk of angina:

• Choose heart-healthy foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be physically active.
• Manage your stress.
• Quit smoking.
• Get adequate quality sleep.

6. When should I seek medical help for angina symptoms?

Inform your doctor right away if your angina pattern changes.

7. Can angina symptoms vary between individuals?

Angina symptoms may differ between men and women. Women are more likely to experience angina discomfort in their arms, neck, back, and jaw—regions far from the source of the pain.

8. How is angina diagnosed?

Doctors may use diagnostic tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, blood tests, or coronary angiography to confirm angina and determine its underlying cause.

Learn more about the Angiography Procedure in Delhi and related cardiac care services.

9. Who treats angina diseases?

Cardiologists are the primary healthcare providers who treat angina. They may recommend tests, medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures to improve heart health. General physicians may also provide initial care and referrals to specialists.

10. Can angina symptoms vary between men and women?

Yes, women are more likely to experience symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and pain in areas other than the chest, like the back or jaw, compared to men.

11. What is the long-term treatment for angina?

Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications like beta-blockers or statins, and in some cases, procedures such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).