What is angina?
Angina is chest discomfort caused when plaque narrows the coronary arteries and the heart can't get enough blood during extra demand. In stable angina, climbing stairs or walking in the cold brings on pressure, squeezing or tightness in the chest that eases within minutes of rest. Variant angina comes from artery spasm and often strikes at rest in the early morning.
Angina or heart attack?
Angina means an artery is narrowed; a heart attack means it's blocked and heart muscle is dying. Chest pain that's new, worsening, happens at rest or lasts more than a few minutes is unstable angina or a heart attack until proven otherwise—call 911. Testing includes an ECG, stress test, coronary CT angiography and, when needed, cardiac catheterization (Virani et al., 2023).
Treatment and prevention
Sublingual nitroglycerin relieves attacks; aspirin, statins and beta-blockers lower risk. Severe blockages may be treated with stents or bypass surgery. Prevention means not smoking and controlling blood pressure, diabetes and LDL cholesterol.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Is a sharp, stabbing chest pain angina?
- Brief, pinpoint pain is more often muscular. Angina usually feels like broad pressure or squeezing—but when in doubt, get checked.
- Do women have different symptoms?
- Women more often have shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue or jaw and back pain rather than classic chest pressure.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Knuuti, J., Wijns, W., Saraste, A., et al. (2020). 2019 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. European Heart Journal, 41(3), 407–477.
- Virani, S. S., Newby, L. K., Arnold, S. V., et al. (2023). 2023 AHA/ACC multisociety guideline for the management of patients with chronic coronary disease. Circulation, 148(9), e9–e119.