Signs and symptoms of angina

The discomfort may be described as squeezing, heaviness, tightness, burning, or fullness rather than a sharp pain. It can move to the shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or back. A person may also feel short of breath, light-headed, tired, sweaty, or sick. Symptoms may settle with rest, but this does not make them harmless. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have less typical symptoms, such as breathlessness or fatigue without obvious chest pain. Only an assessment can separate angina from other causes.

Pause and rest when symptoms appear. Write down the activity, sensation, location, spread, and associated symptoms, then arrange medical review. A clinician may check your pulse and blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, and arrange an ECG or other investigations. Continue only medicines prescribed for you, following the supplied instructions. Do not borrow someone else's heart medicine.

Call emergency services if symptoms are intense, prolonged, worsening, present at rest, or accompanied by collapse, severe breathing difficulty, cold sweating, confusion, or spreading discomfort. Keep still and avoid driving. If you have an agreed emergency plan, follow it while help is coming.

Ask which symptoms are most concerning in your situation, what tests you need, how much activity is appropriate, and how blood pressure and cholesterol should be managed. Ask who to contact if the pattern changes.