Angina why chest pain

Also, plaques may break off and form clots that block the arteries. If blood cannot carry oxygen to the heart, the heart muscle cannot work properly. This causes angina. Angina can develop as a result of:. Angina results from a fall in the oxygen supply to the heart. For people with stable angina, the following may trigger an attack:. If the doctor believes that the issue is angina, they may recommend one or more of the following tests:. People should receive consistent, effective treatment for cardiovascular disease and other aspects of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Angina involves sensations of pain, squeezing, or pressure in the chest, and it results from too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle. It is not necessarily dangerous, but it can be a sign of heart disease. Effective medical treatments and lifestyle changes can manage angina or prevent it from returning. Anyone who experiences sudden, unexplained, or worsening or chest pain should receive medical attention right away.

Stable angina causes pain, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, usually when someone is stressed or doing physical activity. Narrowed arteries or…. Pain in the chest may cause people to worry. Although some causes are severe, such as heart attacks, many of the potential causes are less worrisome….

Learn about its symptoms, causes, and treatments…. Heart disease is a major cause of death. In this article, learn about the different types, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatment to expect.

What is angina? Share on Pinterest Getty Images. Symptoms in females. Risk factors. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Medical Myths: All about lung cancer. Cancer research: Are we over-relying on genetic links?

Related Coverage. Stable angina: Everything you need to know. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, RN. If medicines are not suitable or do not help, an operation to improve blood flow to your heart muscles may be recommended. If it's well controlled, there's no reason why you cannot have a largely normal life with angina.

One of the most important things you'll need to do is to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as:. Angina is usually caused by the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscles becoming narrowed by a build-up of fatty substances. This is called atherosclerosis. Page last reviewed: 22 April Next review due: 22 April Symptoms of angina The main symptom of angina is chest pain.

Chest pain caused by angina usually: feels tight, dull or heavy — it may spread to your arms, neck, jaw or back is triggered by physical exertion or stress stops within a few minutes of resting Sometimes there might be other symptoms, like feeling sick or breathless. When to get medical help If you have not been diagnosed with angina, get an urgent GP appointment if you have an attack of chest pain that stops within a few minutes of resting.

He or she will want to find out if it's angina and if it is, whether the angina is stable or unstable. If it's unstable, you may need emergency medical treatment to try to prevent a heart attack.

Your health care professional will most likely perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and ask about your risk factors for and your family history of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Your health care professional will also ask you a series of questions to rule out the most critical or life-threatening possibilities. Think ahead so you can provide as much information as possible. Here are some questions you might be asked:. Print our Angina Log to keep track of your angina symptoms.

If your health care professional thinks that you have unstable angina or that your angina is related to a serious heart condition, they may recommend the following tests and procedures:. These treatments will help reduce pain and discomfort and how often the angina pain occurs. They will also prevent or lower your risk for heart attack and death by treating the underlying cardiovascular condition you may have.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. Heart Attack. About Heart Attacks. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. Angina Chest Pain. Diagnosing a Heart Attack.