Does angina cause chest tightness?

Angina may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness or discomfort behind the breastbone. It can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back. Stable angina often appears with walking, climbing stairs or emotional strain and eases after rest or prescribed medicine. Indigestion, muscle strain, lung problems and other heart conditions can also cause chest tightness, so the symptom needs context rather than self-diagnosis.

Stop the activity and rest if tightness starts during exertion. If you have an angina plan, follow it exactly, including any medicine prescribed for an attack. Arrange a medical review for new, recurring or changing symptoms; a clinician may assess your history, examine you and arrange heart tests. Record when the discomfort begins, what you were doing, how long it lasts and whether rest changes it.

Call emergency services for chest tightness that is severe, lasts longer than expected, occurs at rest, or does not improve with your prescribed plan. Seek urgent help as well if it comes with sweating, faintness, nausea, marked breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Do not drive yourself if you may be having a heart attack.

Ask what pattern of symptoms fits your diagnosis, how to use your prescribed rescue medicine, which activities need adjustment and which changes should prompt emergency help. Also ask whether you need tests for other causes of chest discomfort and how to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking or diabetes if these apply to you.