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.[1]
With treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to control angina and reduce the risk of these more serious problems.[1]
There are 2 main types of angina:[1]
- 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.[1]
The main symptom of angina is chest pain. Some people also have other symptoms.[1] 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[1] called cholesterol. This is called atherosclerosis.[1]
Things that can increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:[1]
- 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 could be angina if it:[1]
- 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
Angina can also cause:[1]
Some people have these symptoms without obvious chest pain.[1]
References
