Angina pectoris is a chest pain caused by heart disease. People have known for centuries that persons with a certain kind of chest pain are more likely to die from a heart attack. This pain is often caused by exertion or stress. Exertion causes the heart to work harder. If the arteries bringing blood to the heart muscle are blocked, then the heart muscle cannot get the oxygen it needs to work. When the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen, a person may feel the pain of angina.

Angina pain usually feels like a squeezing or pressure sensation in the chest. Sometimes pain or discomfort also goes down the arm, up into the jaw, or into the back. Since angina is often caused by exertion or stress, it is usually relieved by rest. People who have angina usually know what causes the pain and what makes it better.

Not all chest pain is caused by heart disease. There are people who have this pain and have normal hearts. There are also people with heart disease who have no pain or who have unusual pain. sometimes the unusual pain is more like nausea or breathlessness. Sometimes it is only felt in the back, arm or jaw, and not in the chest. It may take certain tests, such as a stress test or angiography to tell if a person's chest pain is truly due to heart disease.

If the chest pain is angina, there are several treatments. The most important treatment is to slow the blockage of the heart's arteries. This treatment involves stopping smoking, improving the diet and lowering cholesterol with drugs, if necessary. It may involve a gradual exercise program, but persons with angina should see their doctor before starting an exercise program. There are drugs, such as nitroglycerine, that can be used to treat anginal pain. There are also surgeries and other procedures that can treat this pain.

Persons who know they have angina know that they have a higher chance of having a heart attack. Should a heart attack occur, early treatment can reduce the damage to the heart muscle and, possibly, save a life. Signs of a heart attack include angina pain that is worse than usual or pain that does not go away with medicine or rest. If the pain changes and becomes more common or comes on with less exertion this can also be a problem. Persons with angina should contact their caregiver if they have any of these symptoms. To learn more, contact your American Heart Association office or call (800) 242-8721.

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