What are the symptoms?

Angina chest pain is often described as a tightness, fullness or pressure, a squeezing, a heaviness or load. The pain is usually located in the centre of the chest, behind the breastbone. It can spread to the throat, arms (usually the left arm), jaw, shoulder, and between the shoulder blades; the pain can also spread to the stomach and may be mistaken for indigestion.

The pain usually comes on after a fixed amount of exertion, such as walking a particular distance. Angina pain may be mild or severe, even in the same person. It may be affected by factors such as cold weather, a change of temperature (such as going outside from a warm house), the strength of the wind, state of mind, or the length of time since a meal. It may be so mild as to be more a feeling of uneasiness or pressure in the chest than actual pain; or it may be so severe that it stops you moving.

Other symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Sweating
• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness and weakness

How is angina diagnosed?

Your doctor will assess your symptoms and ask about your medical history. The following diagnostic tests may also be done:
• Electrocardiogram or ECG (a tracing of the heart’s electrical activity).
• A stress test or exercise ECG (a special ECG done while you are exercising on a treadmill). When the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen, typical changes occur in the ECG.
• Coronary angiogram may be done if the stress ECG is abnormal. This shows the location and severity of the blockage in the coronary vessels.

How is it treated?

Lifestyle:

Lifestyle changes are very important in stopping the progression of coronary heart disease. If you suffer from angina, you should:

• Stop smoking
• Lose weight
• Get more regular exercise
• Maintain normal blood pressure (if high)
• Lower your blood cholesterol (if high)
• Lower your blood sugar (if high).
• Learn to cope with stress