How do I know if I suffer from angina?

Angina symptoms Angina often feels like a heaviness or tightness in your chest, and this may spread to your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach as well. Some people describe a feeling of severe tightness, while others say it’s more of a dull ache. Some people experience shortness of breath and/or nausea.

What does an angina attack feel like?

Angina, also called angina pectoris, is often described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in your chest. Some people with angina symptoms say angina feels like a vise squeezing their chest or a heavy weight lying on their chest.

What is the main cause of angina?

Angina is a sign of an underlying heart problem, such as: Coronary artery disease (CAD): CAD is the top cause of angina in men and women. It occurs when deposits called plaques build up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. The arteries narrow or harden (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow to the heart.

How do you test for angina?

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1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Each beat of your heart is triggered by an electrical impulse generated from special cells in your heart.
2. Stress test.
3. Echocardiogram.
4. Nuclear stress test.
5. Chest X-ray.
6. Blood tests.
7. Coronary angiography.
8. Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan.

What happens if angina is left untreated?

An attack of unstable angina is an emergency and you should seek immediate medical treatment. If left untreated, unstable angina can lead to heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). These can be life-threatening conditions.

What is the life expectancy of someone with angina?

Median expectation of life at age 70 years was reduced by about 2, 5 and 6 years for those with angina, myocardial infarction, or both, respectively.