Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to the heart (called ischemia). It often occurs when you are under emotional or physical stress, such as exercise. When the heart does not get enough oxygen from the coronary arteries, you feel a squeezing chest pain or pressure across your chest that usually goes away after you stop the activity. The most common cause of angina is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Chest pain that is fairly predictable and usually occurs when you exercise is called stable angina. It is relieved with rest or nitroglycerin. Chest pain that occurs when you are resting, or at unpredictable times, is known as unstable angina. Unstable angina can lead to a heart attack, so you should immediately call 911 if you experience symptoms.

It can be difficult to determine whether chest pain is something serious or a milder condition. For that reason, you should always see a doctor. Angina can lead to a heart attack, so you should never try to diagnose or treat it on your own.

I Would Like to Learn About:

Conditions with Similar Symptoms

View Conditions

Related Information

Herbs

Evening primrose oil (EPO) Flaxseed Ginger Ginkgo biloba Hawthorn Linden

Supplements

Alpha-linolenic acid Bromelain Carnitine (L-carnitine) Coenzyme Q10 Flaxseed oil Gamma-linolenic acid Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Vitamin E

Learn More About

Acupuncture Herbal medicine Homeopathy Massage Nutrition Relaxation techniques

Review Date: 12/19/2015  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.