Angina is a heart symptom that causes you to experience chest pain and/or pressure. This condition is often an indicator of an underlying heart condition, such as heart disease. Because angina symptoms mimic that of a heart attack, it's important to seek medical attention when you experience angina in order to initiate treatment that can prevent further damage to your heart.
Causes/Symptoms
Fatty deposits of buildup on the arteries known as plaque can cause angina. These develop in conjunction with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity, according to the Cardiology Channel. A buildup of external pressure on the arteries or an artery blockage also can restrict blood flow and cause angina symptoms. Chest pressure is one of the most common symptoms of angina. This can feel as if a person is squeezing or pressing on your chest. Some also mistake the feeling of chest pressure as indigestion. However, chest pressure may be accompanied by pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, back or jaw, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Types
Two angina types result in chest pressure. Examples include stable angina. This angina type causes chest pressure and other symptoms when you are exerting yourself, such as when climbing the stairs. Unstable angina is chest pressure that does not always involve exertion. This is considered the more dangerous angina type because symptoms can become progressively more painful and can indicate the presence of a blood clot in the coronary artery.
Medical Attention
Chest pressure can indicate a number of conditions, including heart attack, angina and indigestion. Because unexplained chest pain can be life-threatening, it's important to see a physician when you experience chest pressure. If your physician suspects your chest pressure may be due to angina, he will take a medical history and perform imaging tests to view blood flow to your heart. A blood test also may be used to determine if enzymes have leaked out of your heart, indicating that a heart attack has occurred. If your doctor has identified areas where blood flow is impeded, he may diagnose you with angina.
Prevention
Angina prevention begins with a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight and taking steps to reduce your stress levels can help you to prevent onset of angina, according to MayoClinic.com. Not smoking can help you to keep your heart healthy. If you have a family history of heart disease or angina, speak to your physician about other steps you can take to prevent angina's onset.
Treatment
Treatment for angina depends upon the severity of your symptoms. If you have mild chest pressure and pain, angina treatments include healthy lifestyle changes, including not smoking, eating a low-fat diet and exercising regularly. For more significant symptoms, medications including aspirin, nitrates, beta blockers and statins may be recommended. However, if your arteries are significantly narrowed, surgery may be needed to re-open the arteries and restore blood flow.
