Does angina cause chest pain?

Angina discomfort may feel like squeezing, heaviness, burning, or pressure in the centre of the chest. It can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back and may occur with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or unusual tiredness. Stable angina often appears when the heart is working harder, such as during exertion or emotional stress, and eases with rest or prescribed medicine. Chest pain has many causes, so its pattern needs clinical assessment.

Stop the activity and rest when familiar angina begins. Use prescribed angina medicine exactly as directed and keep a record of what brought on the discomfort, how it felt, and how long it lasted. Do not take someone else’s medicine. Arrange medical review if episodes become more frequent, occur with less activity, last longer, or feel different from your usual pattern.

Call emergency services for new, severe, persistent, or worsening chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back. Emergency help is also needed when discomfort starts at rest or does not settle with the person’s prescribed plan. Do not drive yourself, because a serious heart problem can worsen during travel.

Ask how your angina pattern should be monitored, which activities may trigger symptoms, how to use prescribed medicine, and which changes require an urgent call for help.