What should you know about transient angina?

Angina is a symptom of the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen-rich blood for its current workload. A transient episode may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, burning, or [chest tightness](/symptoms/chest-tightness/). Discomfort can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen. Breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or unusual tiredness may occur with it.

Episodes often settle after rest, but relief does not prove that the cause is harmless. Coronary artery narrowing is one possible cause; high blood pressure can add strain to the heart. Angina is different from a heart attack, yet the symptoms can overlap, so a clinician may use your history, examination, an [electrocardiogram](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/ecg/), and other tests to clarify what is happening.

Stop the activity, sit upright, and rest. Follow any personal angina action plan or prescribed medicine exactly as directed; do not take another person’s medicine. Note what you were doing, how the discomfort felt, how long it lasted, and whether rest or prescribed treatment changed it. Arrange prompt medical review for a new, recurring, or changing pattern, even if the episode has ended.

Assessment may lead to treatment of contributing risks and symptoms. Depending on your health, this can include [blood pressure medication](/treatments/medical-management/blood-pressure-medication/) or [statin therapy](/treatments/medical-management/statin-therapy/). Do not stop or alter medicines without speaking with the prescriber.

Call emergency services immediately for chest discomfort that is severe, lasts several minutes, returns, occurs at rest, or does not improve with your prescribed angina treatment. Seek emergency help as well for breathlessness, fainting, cold sweats, marked weakness, confusion, or discomfort spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Do not drive yourself; sit and wait for help, unless an emergency dispatcher gives different instructions.

A first episode, symptoms that are becoming more frequent or intense, or symptoms with less activity than before require urgent medical advice because the pattern may be changing. For background information, see [Angina](/conditions/angina/) and [Hypertension](/conditions/hypertension/).

Ask what could be causing the episodes, which symptoms should trigger emergency help, and whether you need an ECG or other testing. Ask how to use any prescribed medicine, which activities are appropriate while you are being assessed, and how blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, or other personal risks should be managed.