Angina, short for angina pectoris, is commonly known as chest pain. Its symptoms include discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness and squeezing. Angina is a type of coronary artery disease that is usually felt in the chest, but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw or back.

Angina happens because blood flow to the heart is decreased. This impairs the oxygen delivery as well as other important nutrients to the heart muscles. In response, the heart uses other forms of fuel in order to pump blood to the body. The alternative “fuel” is lactic acid, which builds up in the muscle and causes pain.

There are 3 types of angina:

• Stable: This type means the pain level is predictable and present only during exertion or extreme distress and will disappear with rest.
• Unstable: This could be a symptom of a heart attack. This angina occurs more frequently, more easily at rest and could last longer.
• Prinzmetal: This type occurs at rest or during sleep or when exposed to cold weather.

Angina can occur with or without any coronary disease. Other disorders such as aortic stenosis and anemia can cause angina as well.

Treatments

Angina is treated with drugs and lifestyle changes, similar to hypertension. The drugs work by increasing oxygen to the heart. These medicines include beta-blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, ranolazine, and antiplatelets. For more extreme angina, your doctor may recommend treatments such as angioplasty, stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and external counterpulsation.

If you believe that you or someone you know have angina, stop what you’re doing immediately and rest. Call for help and have someone take you to the doctor, for it might be symptoms of a heart attack.