Angina or chest pain is a sign of a heart attack and should be taken seriously. But what happens when you have angina that lasts for just a few minutes and resolves with rest? Do you still need to see the doctor? Yes.
Because angina can be a warning sign of coronary artery disease, the cardiac team at Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center in Tomball, Texas, urges anyone experiencing unexpected angina to see a cardiologist.
That goes for angina pain that seems to come and go. In some cases, however, angina requires a trip to the emergency room.
Angina is a type of chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart. It’s most commonly caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), when fatty deposits clump together, forming plaques that narrow the affected artery (or arteries) and decrease blood flow to your heart.
The three most common types of angina are:
Stable angina is typically triggered by climbing stairs, walking, and other forms of physical exertion. These activities create a greater demand for blood flow to the heart. Emotional stress, exposure to cold temperatures, and heavy meals can also trigger angina.
Physicians usually characterize angina as stable when it responds to rest and/or nitrate medication, most commonly nitroglycerin tablets that dissolve under the tongue. Nitroglycerin widens and relaxes blood vessels quickly, increasing blood flow to the heart.
Unstable angina isn’t relieved with rest or nitrates. It occurs when plaques in an artery rupture or a blood clot forms that narrows or blocks the artery. That severely decreases oxygen-rich blood flow to your heart, which it needs to continue functioning.
A heart attack occurs if the blood flow doesn’t improve. Unstable angina is dangerous and requires emergency medical treatment.
Caused by a spasm in a coronary artery that makes the artery narrow temporarily, Prinzmetal’s angina is often triggered by emotional stress or smoking. Cocaine use is also a known trigger of this type of angina.
Variant angina usually causes severe chest pain that occurs at rest and may be relieved with medication.
Angina symptoms include chest pain that’s often described as a squeezing or burning discomfort or the sensation that something heavy is on your chest.
Other symptoms include:
Women often develop abdominal pain as well and describe their chest pain as more stabbing than pressure-like.
Chest discomfort or pain can signal a serious heart problem, including the risk of a future heart attack, and certainly requires evaluation if it’s a new symptom for you. Early diagnosis and treatment often provide the best outcomes for any form of heart disease, including CAD.
Because angina symptoms mimic so many other conditions, only a thorough evaluation by your cardiologist can determine whether your symptoms are related to your heart or caused by a hiatal hernia, indigestion, or other noncardiac issue.
If you’ve been diagnosed with stable angina in the past but notice worsening symptoms or develop angina that doesn’t respond to rest and medication, you could be experiencing a heart attack and require immediate/emergency medical attention.
If you have angina, schedule a visit with one of our highly qualified cardiac experts. Request an appointment with us online or call 281-255-2000 today.
