Angina is chest pain that occurs when part of the heart is not getting enough blood, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease or another underlying heart problem. It can feel like pressure, burning or tightness and can be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, breathing problems, sweating, anxiety and dizziness. The severity of angina pain can vary from mild to severe. Mild pain may not need treatment, but severe pain can sometimes be treated with nitroglycerin, according to FamilyDoctor.org. There are four types of angina, which can have different symptoms.
Pain Similar to Indigestion When Active
Stable angina is the most common type of angina and it occurs when the heart is working hard, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. This is not a symptom of a heart attack, but it does mean that there is a greater risk of having a heart attack in the future. Stable angina symptoms can feel like indigestion and can spread to the arms, back or other parts of the body. It is usually predictable and each episode is similar. Stable angina pain may last five minutes or less and is easily relieved by resting or taking medication. Stress can sometimes trigger it.
Pain When at Rest
Unstable angina can occur even when the heart isn't working hard and it may not be relieved by medication, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. It is a dangerous condition and requires emergency care because it may mean that a heart attack is on the way. Unstable angina symptoms often happens when the patient is resting, sleeping or otherwise not exerting himself or expecting the pain. It can last as long as 30 minutes and isn't helped by resting. It also tends to keep getting worse as time goes on.
Pain During the Night or Early Morning
Also known as Prinzmetal's angina, variant angina is rare and usually occurs when the patient is resting overnight or early in the morning, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. It is treatable but the pain it causes is often severe.
Long Lasting Pain with Shortness of Breath
Microvascular angina is often a symptom of coronary artery disease in the heart's tiniest blood vessels, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. It can last longer and be more painful than other kinds of angina and it is not always treatable. It can be accompanied by shortness of breath, sleeping difficulties and tiredness. It crops up during daily activities and is sometimes triggered by stress.
Sharp Pulsating Pain
Women don't always have the classic symptoms of angina, according to MayoClinic.com. They may experience angina as a sharp, stabbing pain that pulsates instead of the more common feeling of pressure. They are also more likely to have other symptoms including nausea, shortness of breath and pain in the abdomen.
