False angina: what it can mean

People use “false angina” for pain or tightness that feels cardiac but is not caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Reflux, a strained chest muscle, irritation around the ribs, panic, or lung problems can produce overlapping sensations. However, the feeling alone cannot safely identify the cause. Angina can present as pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or discomfort spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder, sometimes with breathlessness or sweating.

A clinician considers what brings symptoms on, how they settle, your blood pressure, heart risk factors, examination findings, and whether an ECG or other evaluation is appropriate. A previous reassuring test does not make a new or changing symptom irrelevant.

Stop exertion during an episode and note its timing, location, duration, triggers, and associated symptoms. Do not label it false angina before a clinician has assessed it. Take prescribed medicines as directed and avoid taking another person’s heart or blood-pressure medicine. Arrange review for recurring discomfort, symptoms during activity, or risk factors such as hypertension.

Call emergency services for new, severe, persistent, or worsening chest pressure, especially with sweating, nausea, breathlessness, faintness, or discomfort spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Emergency assessment is appropriate even when you suspect reflux, stress, or muscle pain.

What features make my pain more or less likely to be angina? Would an ECG or another check help? Should my blood pressure, cholesterol, medicines, reflux, or muscle strain be reviewed?