Angina

Overview

Angina is a type of chest discomfort that occurs when your heart is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. If you experience it, it is important to take it seriously, as it may be a sign of underlying heart disease.

This usually happens when the arteries supplying your heart are narrowed, most often due to coronary artery disease. During physical activity or emotional stress, your heart needs more oxygen. If the blood supply cannot meet that demand, you may feel chest pain or discomfort.

Angina itself is not a heart attack, but it can be a warning sign that your heart is under strain. With proper evaluation and care, the cause can be identified and managed, helping reduce your risk of more serious complications.

Symptoms

Angina is most commonly felt as chest discomfort, but it can present in different ways. You may experience:

• A feeling of pressure, tightness, or heaviness in your chest
• Pain that may spread to your arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back
• Shortness of breath during activity
• Fatigue or discomfort with exertion

Symptoms are often triggered by physical activity, emotional stress, or heavy meals, and may improve with rest.

Causes & Risk Factors

Angina is usually caused by reduced blood flow to the heart due to narrowed arteries.

• Have coronary artery disease
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Have diabetes
• Smoke
• Are physically inactive or overweight
• Have a family history of heart disease

These factors can reduce blood flow to the heart, especially during times when your heart needs more oxygen.

When to Seek Care

You should seek medical advice if you:

• Experience chest discomfort during activity or stress
• Notice symptoms that improve with rest but keep recurring
• Feel shortness of breath with exertion
• Have known risk factors for heart disease

Emergency Symptoms

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of angina by managing the underlying causes:

• Keep your blood pressure under control
• Manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• Stay physically active
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking
• Attend regular health check-ups

Diagnostics Used

If angina is suspected, your care team will assess your symptoms and evaluate your heart function.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Blood Tests
• Stress Testing
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• Cardiac Imaging

Support Services

Managing angina focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing your risk of progression.

• Personalised care from cardiology specialists
• Medication to improve blood flow and reduce symptoms
• Lifestyle and risk factor management
• Regular follow-up and monitoring
• Support in managing related conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol

This approach helps you stay active while protecting your heart.

FAQs