Frequently asked questions
Click below for answers to frequently asked questions about angina.
What is angina?
Angina is discomfort or pain you feel in the chest or areas around it (arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw) when the heart is not getting enough oxygen.2,3
Angina is not a disease. It often is a symptom of a heart problem. The heart problem that most commonly leads to chronic angina is coronary heart disease (CHD).2
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What are coronary arteries?
The coronary arteries are the vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
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What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?
In healthy coronary arteries, blood flows freely to bring oxygen to the heart. In coronary heart disease, these arteries become stiff and narrow. This means blood flow is lower. Less blood and oxygen get to the heart. With exercise or emotional stress, the heart works harder. It needs more oxygen. Lower blood flow can lead to angina. You could feel discomfort or pain in the chest, arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw. When angina has been present for months or years without much change, it is called chronic stable angina. It most often goes away with rest or nitroglycerin.2,3
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What is the difference between coronary heart disease (CHD) and coronary artery disease (CAD)?
There is no difference. These are two names for the same condition.
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What triggers chronic angina?
Angina may happen when the heart is not getting enough oxygen.2,3
Physical activity is the most common trigger. Stress, extreme temperatures, large meals, alcohol and cigarette smoking may also trigger an angina episode.2,3
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What does angina feel like?
Angina symptoms are not the same for everyone. During an episode, most people feel pain or discomfort in their chest, arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw.2,3
Other people have different symptoms. Angina symptoms may include:2,4
- Pain or discomfort in the chest, arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw
- Feeling short of breath
- Feeling tired
- Feeling lightheaded
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Weakness
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What is the difference between angina and a heart attack?
An angina attack is not a heart attack. In angina, the heart does not get enough oxygen for a short time.2,3
The pain often goes away with rest or nitroglycerin*.2,3 Angina does not usually cause lasting damage to the heart.
A heart attack can happen if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked. Chest pain is usually more severe, lasts longer and does not go away with rest or nitroglycerin. A heart attack can cause lasting damage to heart muscle.5
If you are having symptoms that do not go away with rest or nitroglycerin, it could be unstable angina, a more serious kind of angina that can lead to a heart attack.2,3 Patients with unstable angina should get emergency medical help right away.*
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How is angina diagnosed?
Your doctor makes a diagnosis of angina from your symptoms and what triggers them. Your cardiologist may ask about your medical history and do tests to be sure about the diagnosis. The tests help tell how severe your heart condition is. Tests may include an electrocardiogram (EKG), treadmill exercise or other stress test, and imaging of the coronary arteries (angiogram).2
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How is angina treated?
Chronic angina can be treated in many ways, including:2,13,14
- Medicines for angina
- Lifestyle changes
- Opening a blocked artery and placing a small tube, or stent, in the artery to keep it open (angioplasty/percutaneous coronary intervention)
- Bypass surgery
- Cardiac rehabilitation
Your cardiologist may suggest one or more of these options, based on your symptoms and medical history. The goal in treating chronic angina is relief of angina symptoms and a return to normal physical activity.6
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Can angina treatment reduce my symptoms?
The goal of treatment of chronic angina is to:
- Reduce pain and discomfort6
- Reduce how often angina occurs6
- Reduce the impact angina has on your quality of life7
If you still have angina even though you are being treated for it, speak with your cardiologist about treatment options.
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Can a person with angina exercise?
Always talk with your cardiologist before you start an exercise program. Ask your cardiologist about an exercise program that is right for you.
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Can angina attacks be avoided?
There are things you can do to reduce the chance of having an angina attack.
- Start by making lifestyle changes. Control factors that add to your risk of coronary heart disease (the most common heart problem that causes angina).2
- Talk to your cardiologist about changes that could work for you.
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