What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Angina?

Pain and discomfort are the main symptoms of angina. These symptoms

• Are often described as pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest
• Usually start in the chest behind the breastbone
• May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back
• May feel like indigestion

Some people say that angina discomfort is hard to describe or that they can't tell exactly where the pain is coming from. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness may also occur.

Symptoms vary based on the type of angina.

Stable Angina

The pain or discomfort:

• Occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion
• Is expected, and episodes of pain tend to be alike
• Usually lasts a short time (5 minutes or less)
• Is relieved by rest or angina medicine
• May feel like gas or indigestion
• May feel like chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, or other areas

Unstable Angina

The pain or discomfort:

• Often occurs at rest, while sleeping at night, or with little physical exertion
• Is unexpected
• Is more severe and lasts longer (as long as 30 minutes) than episodes of stable angina
• Is usually not relieved with rest or angina medicine
• May get continuously worse
• May signal that a heart attack will happen soon

Variant Angina

The pain or discomfort:

• Usually occurs at rest and during the night or early morning hours
• Tends to be severe
• Is relieved by angina medicine

Chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes and is not relieved by rest or angina medicine may mean you are having—or are about to have—a heart attack. Call 9–1–1 right away.

The common symptom is a pain, ache or discomfort that you feel across the front of the chest when you exert yourself. You may also, or just, feel the pain in your arms, jaw, neck or stomach. 

A heart attack, symptoms typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications (medications taken by mouth). Initial symptoms can start as a mild discomfort those progresses to significant pain. 

Most people describe the pain as a kind of squeezing pressure, tightness or heaviness. 

Severe anxiety and panic attacks can cause chest pain. However, if you do experience these symptoms, your best plan of action is to get immediate help. Stop doing whatever is causing the symptoms and call 911. Lie down with your head slightly elevated. If you are not allergic to it, take one adult aspirin.