Ignoring angina can allow heart disease to progress silently — sometimes ending in a heart attack.

What Is Angina?

Angina is chest discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It is usually a symptom of underlying coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked.

What Does Angina Feel Like?

Angina symptoms vary but commonly include:

• Pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest

• Burning sensation behind the breastbone

• Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, neck, back, or shoulders

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or lightheadedness

Women and older adults may experience atypical symptoms such as fatigue or jaw pain rather than chest pain.

Types of Angina

Stable Angina
Occurs during physical exertion or stress and improves with rest.

Unstable Angina
Occurs at rest, lasts longer, and is unpredictable. This is a medical emergency.

Variant (Prinzmetal’s) Angina
Caused by coronary artery spasms, often occurring at night or early morning.

What Causes Angina?

• Atherosclerosis

• Blood clots

• Coronary artery spasms

• Anemia

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Diabetes

When Is Angina Dangerous?

Seek immediate medical care if:

• Chest pain occurs at rest

• Pain lasts longer than usual

• Symptoms worsen or become more frequent

• Pain is accompanied by sweating, nausea, or fainting

Unstable angina can quickly lead to a heart attack.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors may use ECGs, stress tests, imaging scans, or angiography.
Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes procedures such as stents or bypass surgery.

Conclusion

Angina is not something to “push through.” It is the heart’s early warning system. Recognizing it early can prevent irreversible heart damage and save lives.