Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. It usually is not life threatening, but it is a warning sign of increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

With treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to control angina and reduce the risk of these more serious problems.

There are 2 main types of angina:

• stable angina (more common) – attacks have a trigger (such as stress or exercise) and stop within a few minutes of resting
• unstable angina (more serious) – attacks are more unpredictable (they may not have a trigger) and can continue despite resting

Some people develop unstable angina after having stable angina.

The main symptom of angina is chest pain. Some people also have other symptoms. Call emergency services for an ambulance for chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes. This could be a heart attack.

Causes of angina

Angina is usually caused by the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscles becoming narrowed by a build-up of fatty substances called cholesterol. This is called atherosclerosis.

Things that can increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:

• an unhealthy diet
• a lack of exercise
• smoking
• increasing age
• a family history of atherosclerosis or heart problems

Angina can also be caused by other conditions affecting the heart and arteries.

Symptoms

• Chest pain

Chest pain could be angina if it:

• • feels tight, dull or heavy – although some people (especially women) may have sharp, stabbing pain
  • spreads to their arms, neck, jaw or back

• • is triggered by physical exertion or stress
  • stops within a few minutes of resting

• Other symptoms

Angina can also cause:

• • breathlessness
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • pain in the lower chest or stomach – similar to indigestion
  • feeling very tired

Some people have these symptoms without obvious chest pain.