Angina (or angina pectoris) is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen‑rich blood, usually because of narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

What is angina?

  • It is a symptom , not a disease by itself, most often of coronary artery disease (fatty plaque narrowing heart arteries).
  • The pain is often described as pressure, squeezing, heaviness, tightness, or burning in the chest, and may feel like a heavy weight on the chest.
  • The discomfort can spread to the arm (often the left), neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or upper abdomen.

Very important: New, severe, or worsening chest pain can signal a heart attack and is a medical emergency.

Main types of angina

  • Stable angina :
    • Predictable, brought on by exertion or emotional stress and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
* Usually lasts a few minutes and follows a similar pattern each time.
  • Unstable angina (part of acute coronary syndrome):
    • New, worsening, occurring at rest, or lasting longer (often more than 10 minutes).
* This is an emergency because it can precede a heart attack.
  • Variant (Prinzmetal) angina :
    • Caused by spasm of a coronary artery, not by fixed plaque.
* Often occurs at rest, frequently at night, and can be severe but usually relieved by angina medicine.
  • Microvascular or refractory angina :
    • Pain from problems in very small heart vessels or persistent angina despite treatment.

Typical symptoms and triggers

Common symptoms:

  • Chest pressure, tightness, squeezing, burning, or pain.
  • Pain or discomfort in arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fatigue, or light‑headedness.

Typical triggers:

  • Physical exertion (walking uphill, climbing stairs, lifting heavy objects).
  • Emotional stress, anger, or fear.
  • Heavy meals or cold weather.

Why angina matters

  • Angina is usually a warning sign of coronary artery disease , which increases the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest.
  • About 11 million people in the U.S. experience angina, and with proper diagnosis and treatment many live active lives.

If someone has:

  • Sudden, intense chest pain,
  • Pain not relieved by rest or usual angina medication, or
  • Chest pain with severe shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or fainting,

they should seek emergency medical care immediately , as this could be a heart attack.

Quick FAQ style answers

  • Is angina the same as a heart attack?
    No. Angina is temporary reduced blood flow and symptoms usually improve with rest or medicine, while a heart attack means heart muscle is actually dying due to prolonged lack of blood flow.
  • Can angina be treated?
    Yes. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications (like nitrates, beta‑blockers, calcium channel blockers), and sometimes procedures such as stents or bypass surgery, depending on severity and cause.
  • Is angina always painful?
    Not always. Some people mainly feel breathless, tired, or have indigestion‑like discomfort rather than frank pain.

TL;DR: Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, most often due to coronary artery disease; it is a serious warning sign and new or worsening symptoms need urgent medical attention.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.