What should you know about heberden angina?

Angina may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, tightness, or burning in the chest. Discomfort can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back, and may occur with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or unusual tiredness. It can be brought on by exertion or emotional stress and improve with rest, but patterns vary. Hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors can contribute to narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the heart. Chest Tightness has many possible causes, so symptoms cannot be diagnosed safely from sensation alone.

A clinician may ask when the discomfort starts, how long it lasts, what brings it on, and whether it changes with rest. An Electrocardiogram and other tests may be considered.

Stop exertion and rest if discomfort starts. Follow any personal angina plan and use prescribed medicine exactly as instructed. Arrange prompt medical review for a first episode, a change in pattern, symptoms at rest, or symptoms that are becoming more frequent. Do not rely on self-treatment or someone else’s medicine. Your clinician may discuss blood pressure control, Blood Pressure Medication, or Statin Therapy when appropriate.

Call emergency services for chest pressure or pain that is severe, lasts several minutes, returns repeatedly, occurs at rest, or comes with breathlessness, fainting, cold sweating, vomiting, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Treat sudden severe symptoms as an emergency even if you are unsure whether they are angina. Do not drive yourself.

Could my symptoms be angina or another cause? Which tests are suitable? What should I do if discomfort returns? How can my blood pressure and other risks be managed?