Symptoms - Angina

The main symptom of angina is chest pain or pressure. Some people also have other symptoms.

When chest pain could be angina

Chest pain could be angina if it:

• feels tight, dull or heavy - sharp, stabbing pains are not normally angina
• spreads to your left arm, neck, jaw or back
• is triggered by physical exertion or stress
• stops within 10 minutes of resting

Angina usually gets worse if you continue to exercise.

If you have chest pain but can still run around and do physical activity, you are unlikely to have angina.

Other symptoms of angina

Angina can also cause:

• shortness of breath
• feeling sick (nausea)
• pain in your lower chest or tummy - like indigestion

Some people have these symptoms without obvious chest pain.

If you have symptoms of an angina attack

What you need to do if you have symptoms depends on whether you have been diagnosed with angina or not.

If you have not been diagnosed with angina

1. Stop what you're doing and rest.
2. Make an urgent appointment to see your GP if the symptoms go away within 10 minutes.
3. If you have aspirin nearby and you are not allergic to it, take 1 tablet.

If your symptoms do not stop in a few minutes, it could be a sign of a heart attack.

If you have been diagnosed with angina

1. Stop what you're doing and rest.
2. Take the medicine prescribed for you - usually a glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray. Do this sitting down - it may make you dizzy.
3. Take another dose after 5 minutes if the first dose does not help.