Others
Angina
Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when an area of your heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can feel like indigestion.Angina (angina pectoris - Latin for squeezing of the chest) is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis.Angina often occurs when the heart needs more blood. For example, running to catch a bus could trigger an attack of angina while walking might not. Angina may happen during exercise, strong emotions or extreme temperatures. Some people, such as those who experience coronary artery spasm, may have angina when they’re resting. (See below, unstable angina, Prinzmetal’s or variant angina pectoris.)
The common symptom is a pain, ache or discomfort that you feel across the front of the chest when you exert yourself. For example, when you walk up a hill. You may also, or just, feel the pain in your arms, jaw, neck or stomach. An angina pain does not usually last long. It will usually ease within 10 minutes when you rest, and often within 1-2 minutes if you take some GTN (see below). The pain may also be triggered by other causes of a faster heart rate. For example, when you have a vivid dream or an argument. The pains also tend to develop more easily after meals, or in cold winds.
However, your GP will usually also take a medical history, ask for a description of the pain and carry out a physical examination. The examination will include checking your blood pressure and pulse, checking for pulses in your legs, looking for swelling in your ankles and listening to your heart and chest. Your doctor will also look for physical signs that suggest a high cholesterol level or anaemia..If the patient has come to the hospital emergency department, they may be sent to another care area for further testing, treatment, or observation. On the basis of the provider’s preliminary diagnosis.
