Angina is chest pain that develops when the heart does not receive enough oxygen. Angina is a symptom rather than a disease, and it affects 7 million people in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. People with coronary artery disease, or narrowing or hardening of the arteries, may develop angina symptoms. They include indigestion, fatigue, and nausea, shortness of breath and chest discomfort. The severity and sensation of chest pain with angina may indicate whether additional heart problems are occurring.
Stable Angina Pain
Stable angina is the most common type of angina, according to the American Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Stable angina has a regular pattern of pain and additional angina symptoms. A person with stable angina may notice that she develops chest pain after physical activity or exertion. Pain may occur in the center of the chest, and may radiate to the arms, shoulder and neck. Angina-related pain presents as a heavy feeling on the chest, or squeezing, stabbing or sharp sensations in the chest. Discomfort usually disappears within a few minutes, and gets better with rest or the use of prescribed medication.
Stable angina generally develops with the same painful presentation each time it occurs. A person with stable angina will be able to recognize the pattern of physical exertion, resulting chest discomfort, and subsequent relief of symptoms. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute advise that stable angina isn't a heart attack, but may suggest that a heart attack is likely in the future. Keeping track of stable angina symptoms is important since changes in pain sensation or severity may indicate a deeper cardiac problem.
Unstable Angina Pain
Unstable angina occurs when pain and other symptoms of stable angina change. Increased angina attacks, a different sensation in chest pain feels or angina that appears during rest could indicate unstable angina, according to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
Pain symptoms during unstable angina may feel stronger and last longer. Pain might not disappear quickly with rest or medication use as it does with stable angina. A person who experiences a change in angina pain requires immediate medical care, warns the Mayo Clinic, because a heart attack may occur.
Variant Angina Pain
Variant angina, also called Prinzmetal's angina, occurs from spasms in the coronary arteries. A person with this type of angina may experience sudden chest pain while at rest instead of with physical exertion. Chest pain from this type of angina may be severe.
Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs while you're at rest--between midnight and early morning--and the pain can be severe. Medications can relieve this type of angina.
