Angina is a medical condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Individuals with angina may suffer an angina attack and experience sudden, or acute, symptoms. Cedar-Sinai Medical Center informs that angina symptoms generally appear abruptly and closely resemble heart attack symptoms. Angina symptoms, however, usually disappear with rest, while heart attack symptoms do not. Acute angina symptoms warrant medical evaluation to rule out serious heart-related conditions.
Chest Discomfort
MedlinePlus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, advises two types of chest pain can be experienced during acute angina. Stable angina produces predictable chest pain that occurs suddenly with physical activity, such as raking leaves. Chest pain may be felt anywhere in the chest and may present as heaviness on the chest, a sharp pain or a dull ache. Chest discomfort does not get worse and is relieved with rest.
Unstable chest pain, however, is experienced without physical exertion. Pain may last longer than 20 minutes, get worse over time and is generally sharp or stabbing in nature. Rest does not relieve acute unstable angina chest pain.
Both stable and unstable acute angina may also produce pain in the neck, jaw, face or upper back. MedlinePlus warns that a person with a history of stable angina-related chest pain can develop acute unstable angina at anytime.
Palpitations
Heart palpitations can present during an acute angina attack. A person may feel his heart pounding forcefully behind his chest wall. Palpitations may be accompanied by shortness of breath or the feeling of constricted lungs. He may have a hard time taking a deep breath and respiration may become labored. He may feel lightheaded, as well.
Nausea
Acute angina can also cause nausea and indigestion. A person with these symptoms may experience a sour stomach or burning sensation in the throat, similar to heart burn. These symptoms may be worse if a meal was recently eaten. Abdominal pain and vomiting may also occur.
Additional Symptoms
Dizziness may occur during acute angina from reduced oxygen to the brain. Dizziness can become progressively worse until rest is obtained and other acute angina symptoms begin to resolve. Feelings of anxiety and restlessness may accompany dizziness, as well. A person may also experience shortness of breath, sweating or extreme fatigue during an angina episode.
