About Health
Angina
Angina is a pain or discomfort in the chest, which occurs when your heart is not getting enough oxygen because of a temporary reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle. It is usually a symptom of coronary heart disease which is caused by atherosclerosis, the narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries due to fatty deposits on the inner walls.
Angina is often brought on by physical activity, an emotional upset, stress, cold windy weather or following a large meal. Many people with angina may experience only some symptoms while others may experience none at all. Any pain should subside within a few minutes. The symptoms of angina include:
- Pain or discomfort in the middle of the chest
- Pain in the neck and throat, jaw, one or both arms, stomach and more rarely between the shoulder blades
- Breathlessness or a choking feeling
- Sweating
- Feeling sick or exhausted
Some factors make angina more likely such as:
- Being male
- Being middle-aged or older
- Smoking
- Having a high cholesterol level
- Having high blood pressure
- Being overweight or obese
- Doing little or no physical activity
- Having a family history of heart attacks
- Having diabetes