Angina – What You Need to Know

Got a tight feeling in your chest that comes on during activity? That’s often angina, a warning sign that your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. It’s not an emergency most of the time, but it tells you to pay attention to your heart health before things get worse.

Why Angina Happens

Angina occurs when the blood vessels that feed the heart (coronary arteries) are narrowed or blocked. The narrowing usually comes from plaque buildup – a mix of fat, cholesterol, and other stuff that sticks to artery walls. When you walk, climb stairs, or get stressed, your heart works harder and needs more oxygen. If the arteries can’t deliver enough, you feel that classic pressure or squeezing in the chest.

There are two main types. Stable angina shows up predictably – like after a certain distance of jogging – and goes away with rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is more unpredictable, can happen at rest, and needs urgent medical care because it may signal an upcoming heart attack.

How to Manage Angina

First, get a check‑up. Your doctor will likely do an ECG, maybe a stress test, and possibly an imaging scan to see how well blood is flowing. Knowing the exact cause helps pick the right treatment.

Medications are the backbone of angina care. Nitroglycerin tablets or sprays quickly widen the vessels, easing the pain. Long‑term drugs like beta‑blockers, calcium‑channel blockers, and statins keep the heart’s workload down and slow plaque growth. If medicines aren’t enough, doctors may suggest a stent or bypass surgery to restore blood flow.

Lifestyle changes matter just as much as pills. Cut out smoking, limit salty and fatty foods, and keep your weight in a healthy range. Regular, moderate exercise (like brisk walking) improves heart efficiency, but start slow and talk to your doctor before any new routine. Stress management – whether it’s meditation, yoga, or simply taking deep breaths – can lower the frequency of angina attacks.

Know when to call emergency services. If the chest pain lasts more than a few minutes, doesn’t ease with rest, spreads to your jaw or arm, or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, treat it as a possible heart attack. Don’t wait – get help right away.Remember, angina is your heart’s way of sending a message. By listening, getting the right tests, taking prescribed meds, and adopting heart‑healthy habits, you can keep those warning signs under control and lower the risk of serious problems later.