Signs & Symptoms of Angina & Dyspnea

Angina and dyspnea can be symptoms of severe cardiovascular and pulmonary problems, such as coronary artery disease and asthma. If you experience any of the signs and symptoms of angina or dyspnea, be certain to contact your physician immediately.

Pain

• Chest pain due to inadequate oxygen-rich blood in the heart is a symptom of angina. The pain may radiate to the shoulder, jaw, arms or back. When pain radiates to the jaw, it is typically felt in the rear portion of the jaw by the molars. Some patients have said that the pain feels like an abscessed tooth. When pain radiates to the arms, the pain is usually more intense in the left arm. Women experience pain that radiates to the arm more commonly than men. Pain that radiates to the back is generally felt near the left shoulder blade. Many patients say that the pain has a burning sensation and others mention that it feels like a pulled muscle.

Indigestion

• The pain associated with angina can often feel like indigestion. Though the angina is not actually indigestion, the patient is typically unable to differentiate the difference between severe indigestion and angina, so much so that some patients have suffered heart attacks without seeking immediate medical care because they believed that the angina they felt was actually heart burn. Therefore, anyone feeling severe angina should consult his physician right away. This is especially important because taking antacids can worsen underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, that causes angina.

Pressure

• A feeling of pressure in the chest or the sensation of the chest being squeezed is a symptom of angina. Sometimes patients feel as though the pressure is so intense that they are unable to take a deep breath. Some patients describe this feeling as having a heavy weight sitting on their chests. Though less common, some patients have related this pressure to the feeling of chest congestion. This manifestation of angina is especially dangerous because it can be a symptom that the heart is inadequately pumping the blood in the body and fluid is building up in the lungs.

Shortness of Breath

• Shortness of breath is a symptom of dyspnea. This occurs when the lungs are not receiving adequate oxygen and is a cardiopulmonary problem. Shortness of breath is often accompanied by hyperventilation, which can cause an array of medical problems due to the increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the body. People experiencing shortness of breath should used pursed-lip breathing to control their breathing to avoid hyperventilation.