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Angina Symptoms

Angina: Symptoms


Top Symptoms

1. Dizziness

Dizziness refers to a reduced sense of balance and stability, which is characterized by feeling weak, faint and unsteady. Dizziness is caused by a weakening in muscle strength and uncontrolled muscle function. Angina patients often feel exhausted and also experience shortness of breath which may or may not accompany dizziness. The patient in this symptom may experience a loss of balance in walking or a sensation of spinning (vertigo). This symptom in general cases automatically subsides with rest in a few minutes.

2. Heartburn

Heartburn is defined as a type of irritation of the esophagus, in which the acidified content of the stomach rises in the esophagus. The acid reflux in the esophagus is caused due to the abnormal working of the lower esophageal sphincter. Angina patients sometimes also experience an acid reflux or heartburn with other symptoms. The spasm of coronary artery and overall muscle weakness due to reduced oxygen can sometimes affect the lower esophageal sphincter, which may lead to an episode of heartburn.

3. Nausea

Nausea, also described as โ€˜motion sicknessโ€™ or โ€˜feeling sickโ€™, is a sensation of discomfort in the upper stomach which often triggers an urge to vomit. It is an involuntary sensation which not always, but often leads to vomiting. Angina may be accompanied by nausea which may have been caused due to indigestion, or mental and physical stress. Nausea can also be caused due to a lot of conditions and, hence, is not a progressive symptom of angina.

4. Fatigue and sweating

Fatigue is described as lack of muscle strength, both mental and physical. Angina patients may also feel exhausted and this is accompanied by sweating, other than chest discomfort. Fatigue is different from drowsiness; it is characterized by an abnormal response to mental and physical activity. Fatigue occurs when the body is unable to control muscle functions adequately.

5. Shortness of breath

Dyspnea, commonly known as shortness of breath, can be experienced with angina as it is also characterized with reduced supply of oxygen. It is caused by a weakened capacity of the heart to move blood oxygen through the lungs causing difficulty in breathing. It might be triggered due to physical exercise (walking, climbing stairs etc.) which directs toward stable angina.

6. Characteristics of unstable angina

Unstable angina is quite rare, and is a medical emergency. Angina symptoms in this case occur even at rest, often when least expected. The chest discomfort and pain in such cases is more severe, and is usually felt in a different pattern than that of stable angina. Angina in this case may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms. It may last as long as 30 minutes and is usually not relieved with angina medications (nitroglycerin), or require extra dose. In a case of unstable angina, the patient should be immediately rushed to the nearest hospital in the emergency unit for cardiac testing. Unstable angina is not a heart attack but might signal a cardiac arrest.

7. Characteristics of stable angina

Stable angina or acute form of angina, also known as effort angina, generally develops with exertion. It begins with heaviness in the chest, accompanied by pain, especially with physical exercise (walking, running etc.). It is a predictable chest pain which might also be triggered with mental or emotional stress. In some cases, the pain might extend to back, arms and other areas. The chest discomfort and pain is usually short lived, about 5 minutes, and disappears with rest or angina medication. The symptoms of stable angina are predictable but they occur on a regular basis, especially with exertion. Patients with stable angina are prescribed with nitroglycerin tablets, which they can consume (keep under their tongue) to relieve an immediate pain.

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