Is Angina the Precursor to a Heart Attack?

Everyone knows that chest pain is a primary symptom of a heart attack, so it’s understandable that angina can cause immediate anxiety. The team at Heart and Vascular Care is here today to discuss angina and what it might mean. 

Residents of Plano or McKinney, Texas, can rely on our providers for comprehensive heart health diagnostic and treatment services. If you experience any chest pain, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. 

What does angina feel like?

Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort. It develops when your heart isn’t getting enough blood. People who experience angina report the following sensations:

• Pressure
• Burning
• Squeezing
• Heaviness
• Tightness
• Fullness

Interestingly, angina pain isn’t always limited to the chest. You might also feel these sensations in your neck, jaw, back, shoulders, or arms. 

In addition to these uncomfortable sensations, angina can cause sweating, nausea, dizziness, and a clammy feeling. 

Angina is sometimes, but not always, a sign of a heart attack

Angina is most commonly caused by coronary artery disease. This develops when your heart’s arteries become narrowed due to an accumulation of fatty deposits known as plaque. Over time, plaque can cause the blood vessel to rupture, or smaller pieces can break free and travel to your heart or lungs, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. 

One form of angina, known as stable angina, happens when you exert yourself. These episodes of chest discomfort usually last only about five minutes and go away when you rest. 

A more dangerous form of angina is known as unstable angina. This discomfort is unpredictable and can even happen when you’re resting. The pain can grow worse and often doesn’t respond to angina medication. Discomfort that lasts for 20 minutes or longer is often unstable angina and could be a sign of a heart attack. 

How to respond to angina

It’s important to pay close attention to any time you experience any form of chest pain, including angina. Coming in for a diagnostic assessment lets our team determine not only the source of your chest pain but also provide an overview of your overall heart health. 

There are many different diagnostic tools available, and your specialist will talk you through the options. If you’re diagnosed with stable angina, medication may help control the discomfort. Lifestyle modification can also reduce symptoms and help you avoid serious negative outcomes, including a heart attack. 

Angioplasty is a great treatment option for angina. It works by using a catheter to place a surgical balloon within a clogged artery. When that balloon is gently inflated, it widens the artery, improving blood flow. 

A small mesh coil, known as a stent, can be placed during angioplasty to provide additional support to the artery and reduce the risk of clogging. Coronary artery bypass grafting is another surgical solution that works by relocating a vein or artery from another area of your body to bypass a narrowed or blocked artery, ensuring proper blood flow to the heart. 

Worried about chest pain? We can help

If you’re anxious about new or worsening chest pain, the team at Heart and Vascular Care invites you to come in to explore solutions. We strive to inform all of our patients of their options and help them choose a treatment path that delivers lasting improvements. 

You can set up your visit online or over the phone, so don’t delay reaching out to begin working toward relief from chest pain and renewed heart health.