Chest Pain due to Heart Attack or Angina?

You may feel pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in your chest. You may also have pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in your arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back. Some people may have different symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and back, arm, or neck pain. This applies particularly to women, older people, and people with diabetes.

You may also have indigestion or be sick to your stomach. You may feel tired. You may be short of breath, sweaty, lightheaded, or weak. Some people have angina when they are exposed to cold weather. People also may feel it during physical activity. Examples are climbing stairs, walking uphill, lifting something heavy, or having sex.

Angina refers to chest pain that’s caused by a lack of blood flow to your heart. Though coronary artery disease isn’t the only reason for angina, it’s the most common cause. You develop  coronary artery disease when cholesterol and other fats build up in the arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood throughout your heart. As cholesterol plaque enlarges over the years, it blocks blood flow, depriving the heart muscle tissue of vital oxygen.

Angina can persist for years, serving as an ongoing reminder that you have heart disease and signalling a higher risk of having a heart attack. In some cases, however, you don’t develop angina as a precursor. Instead, you don’t have any symptoms until the blood flow is so severely blocked that you have a heart attack and angina at the same time.

How can you tell if chest pain is from angina or a heart attack?

Angina is a type of chest discomfort that occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced, depriving that muscle of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to work optimally. It can feel like tightness, squeezing, or pressure in the chest.

Angina can be either stable angina (sometimes referred to as “chronic angina”) or unstable angina.

50. Stable (chronic) angina: This type occurs predictably after a certain level of activity. Someone who has been diagnosed with stable angina may experience symptoms after walking for two blocks, for example.
50. Unstable angina: This is new angina or a change in angina symptoms, such as an increase in episode frequency or an episode brought on by less exertion. For example, a person who may normally experience angina after walking for two blocks may now experience it after walking for half a block or even at rest.

How is angina diagnosed?

Your favorite doctor  will ask about your symptoms, examine you and may refer you for tests such as:

• ECG (Electrocardiography)
• Blood tests
• Chest x-ray
• Exercise stress test — measures blood pressure and heart activity during exercise
• Echocardiography — an ultrasound to see how well your heart is pumping
• Angiocardiography

Does angina mean a heart attack?

Angina means chest pain. It can sometimes signal a heart attack. Angina can be a sign of very serious heart issues. When you have chest pain, it's important to see a doctor right away.

How can I remove gas trapped in my chest?

Gas can get trapped in your digestive system if you can't burp it out or pass it out. Sometimes, if it's in the upper part of your digestive tract, it can make your chest hurt. You need to find out the source of any of chest pain you may have. If you're having other symptoms that might mean you're having a heart attack or angina (see above), get medical help right away.

Chest pain from gas can come after you eat or drink something that causes the gas to form. Burping or passing the gas is the fastest way to get rid of it, but if it's trapped, you might try:

50.     A heating pad to help relax your belly area
50.     Over-the-counter anti-gas medicine with simethicone
50.     Ginger—in tea, candied, or even ginger powder in water
50.     Gently rubbing your belly
50.     Easy exercise, like walking or yoga poses

If you have signs of heart disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Don't wait to see if the symptoms go away or assume they don't exist.

Get immediate treatment at RSU Hermina Kemayoran if:

1. You have chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack
2. You know you have angina and have chest pain that does not go away after 5 minutes of rest or after taking nitroglycerin
3. You think you may be having a heart attack
4. You become very short of breath
5. You feel you are losing consciousne