Angina is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Angina pain can feel like a squeezing sensation, heaviness, tightness, burning, or aching in the chest. It can also feel like pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Symptoms of Angina
The main symptom of angina is chest pain. It can feel like a squeezing, burning, or aching sensation in the chest. It can also radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Other symptoms of angina can include shortness of breath, nausea, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, and fatigue.
Types of Angina
There are two main types of angina: stable angina and unstable angina.
Stable angina is the most common type and is usually caused by physical exertion. The chest pain is usually relieved within a few minutes after resting or taking nitroglycerin.
Unstable angina is more serious and may occur even at rest. It is usually more severe and lasts longer than stable angina. It is a sign of a possible heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment for Angina
Treatment for angina depends on the type and severity of the condition. Common treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and reducing stress can help reduce angina pain.
Medications such as nitroglycerin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors can also help reduce angina pain.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to improve the blood flow to the heart. This includes coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Angina can be a serious condition, so it is important to seek medical attention right away if you experience chest pain or other symptoms.