What is stable angina?

Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD on behalf of Sigma Nursing

Family Practitioner

Angina refers to chest pain produced when blood flow to the heart is low. When blood flow is low, the heart gets an inadequate amount of oxygen. This causes feelings ranging from pressure to pain. Angina that occurs on a regular basis, usually related to exercise or physical activity, is called stable angina.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Angina

Just a fancy name for chest pain or discomfort, angina often points to an underlying heart problem. Although you may experience pressure or a squeezing sensation in your chest, the feeling may also occur in your neck, jaw, shoulders, back or arms. These symptoms warn doctors that you may have coronary heart disease, the most common form of heart disease in adults. (The fatty material that causes heart disease restricts the arteries; this restriction causes a reduction of oxygenated blood to the heart muscles, leading to chest pain.) Not all chest pain is caused by heart problems. Angina can result from a lung infection, panic attack or even a blockage in an artery of the lung, called pulmonary embolism. Always see a doctor so he or she can determine why you are having chest pain.

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