You may see it scrawled on an emergency room report or listed somewhere in your medical records, but angina isn’t a disease. Instead, it’s a type of heart-related chest pain that’s a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common underlying cause of heart attacks.
Chest discomfort is something many people brush off, assuming it’s just stress, indigestion, or fatigue. And that could be true. However, our team at Premier Cardiology Consultants in New York always takes chest pain seriously, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease.
Here’s what we want you to know about what angina is, why it happens, and whether it truly serves as a precursor to a heart attack.
Persistent or recurring chest pain, especially during physical activity, may be a sign of angina. It occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood.
Most people describe it as pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning in the chest. It can also radiate to the shoulders, neck, jaw, back, or arms.
There are two main types of angina:
This type is predictable, usually lasting five minutes or less, and triggered by exertion or stress. Stable angina typically resolves quickly with rest or with medications like nitroglycerin, which is taken under the tongue to relax blood vessels.
This type occurs unexpectedly, even at rest, may be intense or long-lasting, and doesn’t respond to rest or nitroglycerin tablets. Unstable angina can last for 20 minutes or longer and requires urgent medical attention.
Understanding which type you’re experiencing is crucial for assessing your immediate risk of a heart attack.
Angina is a warning sign that plaque buildup is narrowing the coronary arteries and reducing blood flow to the heart.
Stable angina, which comes on with stress or exertion and responds to rest, suggests long-term narrowing of the arteries but doesn’t necessarily mean a heart attack is imminent. However, it still indicates heart disease that needs medical attention.
Unstable angina, on the other hand, is considered a medical emergency. It often occurs when plaque becomes unstable or when clots begin forming. This condition significantly increases the likelihood of a heart attack in the near future.
Even mild chest discomfort should never be overlooked, especially if it’s linked to stressful situations or physical activity such as walking up a flight of stairs. Those “twinges” you feel in your chest could be a warning that your heart is beginning to struggle.
We encourage you to schedule a cardiac evaluation whenever you’re concerned about heart health. Otherwise, seek care immediately for:
These symptoms could indicate unstable angina or an evolving heart attack.
At Premier Cardiology Consultants, we start with a thorough evaluation that includes diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms, stress tests, blood tests, and advanced imaging studies to determine whether angina or another cardiac condition is present.
Based on evaluation results, your customized treatment plan may involve:
Early diagnosis and management are key to preventing heart attacks.
Angina is the body’s warning that your heart is struggling to get the blood it needs. While it doesn’t always lead to a heart attack, it often signals underlying heart disease that requires ongoing medical care.
Recognizing angina early and seeking medical guidance promptly can significantly reduce your risk and protect your long-term heart health.
If you or someone you love is experiencing angina symptoms, don’t wait. Schedule an evaluation at Premier Cardiology Consultants today.
