Chest pain during activity or stress may be related to narrowing of the heart arteries.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- New chest pain at rest
- Pain stronger or longer than usual
- Pain lasting more than 10–20 minutes
- Cold sweat, shortness of breath or near-fainting
What is it?
Angina is more a clinical expression of coronary artery disease than a separate disease. Stable angina needs planned assessment; new or resting pain can represent an urgent situation.
Symptoms
- Pressure or tightness in the chest
- Pain during activity
- Pain relieved by rest
- Pain spreading to the left arm or jaw
- Shortness of breath
Causes & risk factors
- Coronary artery narrowing
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Stress and cold exposure
- Family history
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should not rely on one test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination and investigation results are interpreted together.
- ECG
- Echocardiography
- Exercise or stress test
- Coronary CT angiography
- Coronary angiography
- Blood tests
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to severity, overall health, accompanying conditions, procedure risk and patient priorities.
- Medication
- Risk factor control
- Anti-anginal drugs
- Assessment for stenting
- Surgical referral in selected cases
How we help
The center evaluates the type of pain, risk factors and test results. The main goal is to distinguish stable symptoms from a high-risk acute coronary condition.
When a procedure may be needed
Coronary angiography may be needed when stress testing is high-risk, symptoms persist, pain is not controlled by medication, or significant narrowing is suspected.
Patient checklist
- Record when pain appears
- Note what worsens or relieves it
- Do not ignore urgent warning signs
- Avoid smoking
FAQ
Is angina the same as a heart attack?
No, but it may indicate heart attack risk. A change in pain pattern requires urgent assessment.
If pain improves with rest, is it safe?
Not necessarily. This can be stable angina and still needs evaluation.
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