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Angina is a feeling of chest pain or discomfort, typically during activity such as walking, or when you have strong emotions.
You may experience this if your heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen. This may be caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries.
Symptoms
Each person may experience different sensations, so it is important that you know and recognise your symptoms.
Common symptoms
- Dull pain, tightness or heaviness in the centre of your chest.
- A squeezing or choking sensation.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain in the shoulders and/or arms.
- Sometimes discomfort in the neck or jaw.
Less common symptoms
- Sweating.
- Pain through from the chest to the back.
- Fainting.
- Sensations similar to heartburn.
When to get help
If you experience angina during physical activity, slow down, stop and use your angina medications. Contact your doctor for a review.
If symptoms do not stop after 15 minutes, treat it as a heart attack and ring for an ambulance (000 in Australia). They will decide whether you should go to hospital.
Living with angina
Many people live very successful and full lives even though they have angina. You can achieve this by following these steps:
- Take the medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Know what brings on your angina.
- Learn how to manage an attack.
- Live a healthy lifestyle.
