Angina Heart Symptoms

Angina is a kind of pain experienced in the chest that is a type of warning or possible precursor to a heart attack. Angina pain occurs when the heart does not have enough oxygenated blood flowing to it. The Mayo Clinic reports that more than 6 million Americans have experienced angina at one time or another. It's important to go to a medical facility immediately if you are having chest pain that may be angina, so that a doctor can diagnose the problem early. A wide range of diagnostic testing, from X rays to ECGs and blood tests can diagnose angina. Once your condition is known, you and your doctor can discuss the best way to manage angina symptoms.

Populations Affected

• Older adults who have already been diagnosed with heart disease or had a previous heart attack are the majority of people who show symptoms of angina. Your risk for angina increases if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, are overweight or under an unnaturally large amount of stress. Angina sufferers are more often those who smoke and drink moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol. You may be more at risk for angina if you lead a sedentary life.

Stable Angina

• Stable angina is the "lesser of two evils" when it comes to angina. Though the condition itself is serious because it involves the heart, stable angina symptoms are usually not as severe as unstable angina. Stable angina symptoms include chest pain that feels like squeezing or a large pressure in the chest, back and arms. The symptoms usually stem from a specific set of triggers. Pain and a tingling feeling that may indicate stable angina can occur after eating a big meal, during exercise, when the weather is cool and when you are under considerable stress. The pain may be short-lived and over in just a few minutes. Feeling dizzy and nauseated may accompany the chest pain. Symptoms of angina usually recede when physical activity is stopped or by taking medication.

Unstable Angina

• Unstable angina is not as predictable as stable angina, and can be more serious due to the inability to anticipate symptoms. The same vise-like tightening of the chest and pain below the breastbone that are characteristic of stable angina are also present in unstable angina. The timing of the pain is different--it lasts longer, up to an half hour at a time--and it does not always occur when you are physically active. Unstable angina symptoms may appear at night during sleep or at other times of rest. Unlike stable angina, this more aggressive warning of heart problems may continue even after medication is administered.

Symptoms in Women

• Women and men both experience angina symptoms, but the warning signs previously mentioned may not be the only symptoms women experience. For reasons that are unknown, women may or may not feel the tightening of the chest and pain that men feel. They may experience other kinds of discomfort as well. Women who have stable angina may describe the pain as a stabbing-type feeling that throbs instead of remaining constant. Women are also more likely than men to have secondary symptoms of angina, such as vomiting and stomach pain. This difference in symptoms between the sexes can be confusing and may make it difficult for a woman to know whether or not she has angina. Getting immediate medical treatment when experiencing any unusual kind of chest pain can lead to an early diagnosis.

Managing Symptoms

• Managing the symptoms of angina in an effective manner can be a life-saving measure. People who have a history of angina are often prescribed nitroglycerin medications that can be taken when symptoms occur. If an angina attack happens while being physically active, stop what you are doing immediately and wait until symptoms subside. Lifestyle modifications can lead to a decrease in the severity of symptoms and the frequency of angina episodes as well. Losing weight, eating several smaller meals throughout the day and quitting smoking can all be ways to manage the symptoms of angina.